Polar Solvents Research Articles

Charge-Assisted Anion-π Interaction and Hydrogen Bonding Involving Alkylpyridinium Cations.

Competition and cooperation of charge-assisted anion-π interactions and hydrogen bonding were explored in the solid state and in solutions of 1-ethyl-4-carbomethoxypyridinium iodide, the compound utilized by Kosower to calculate solvent polarity Z-indices. X-ray structural analysis of this salt revealed multiple short contacts of iodide anions with hydrogen atoms and aromatic rings of pyridinium cations. Geometric characteristics, quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis of these contacts indicated comparable interaction energies of the anion-π and hydrogen bonding between iodide and pyridinium cation. 1H NMR (indicating the presence of the hydrogen-bonded complexes) and UV-vis measurements (which were consistent with the formation of anion-π associations) pointed out that both these supramolecular interactions also coexist in solutions. The comparable interaction energies (ΔE) of these modes were confirmed by the DFT computations. Also, while the variations of ΔE with the dielectric constant of the solvents for the complexes of iodide with the neutral π-acceptors were related to the increase of the effective radii of hydrogen- or anion-π bonded iodides, the changes in ΔE for the complexes with pyridinium followed interaction energies between two unit charges. However, the distinction of the bonding in hydrogen-bonded and anion-π complexes of iodide with pyridinium led to a switch of their relative energies with an increase of the polarity of the medium.

2‐Methylene‐1,2‐dihydropyridines (2‐pyNHOs): Highly Nucleophilic Enamines

AbstractThe high reactivity of 2‐methylene‐1,2‐dihydropyridines also known as 2‐methylpyridinium derived N‐heterocyclic olefins (2‐pyNHOs) has been recognized in organic synthesis, yet a quantification of their nucleophilicity is lacking. Herein we used stopped‐flow photometry to determine the nucleophilicity of a series of 2‐pyNHOs from the kinetics of their reactions with quinone methides and benzhydrylium ions as reference electrophiles in four organic solvents at 20 °C. The kinetic data was evaluated by using the Mayr‐Patz equation, lg k(20 °C)=sN(N+E), which gave nucleophilicity parameters N (and sN). With N in the range of 19.4–21.2 (in DMSO), 2‐pyNHOs exceed the reactivity of classical enamines, such as pyrrolidino‐cyclopent‐1‐ene. The addition of 2‐pyNHOs to quinone methides resulted in the formation of zwitterionic adducts with pyridinium and phenolate moieties. Subsequent tautomerization yielded entirely neutral pyridine‐2(1H)‐ylidene‐phenol species in several cases. Formation of the zwitterionic adducts from 2‐pyNHOs and neutral electrophiles was almost equally fast in the polar solvents acetonitrile and DMSO, but proceeded one to two orders of magnitude slower in the less polar solvents dichloromethane or THF.

Crosslinkable Ligands for High-Density Photo-Patterning of Perovskite Nanocrystals.

Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) are promising luminescent materials for electronic color displays due to their high luminescence efficiency, widely-tunable emission wavelengths, and narrow emission linewidth. Their application in emerging display technologiesnecessitates precise micron-scale patterningwhile maintaining good optical performance. Although photolithography is a well-established micro-patterning technique in the industry, conventional processes are incompatible with PNCs as the use of polar solvents can damage the ionic PNCs, causingsevere luminescence quenching. Here,we report the rational design and synthesis of a new bidentate photo-crosslinkable ligand for the direct photo-patterning of PNCs. Each ligand contains two photosensitive acrylate groups and two carboxylate groups, and is introduced to the PNCs via an entropy-driven ligand exchange process. In a close-packed thin film, the acrylate ligands photo-polymerize and crosslink under ultraviolet light, rendering the PNCs insoluble in developing solvents. A high-density crosslinked PNC film with an optical density of 1.1 is attained at 1.4µm thickness, surpassing industry requirements on the absorption coefficient. Micron-scale patterning is further demonstrated using direct laser writing, producing well-defined 20µm features. This study thus offers an effective and versatile approach for micro-patterning PNCs, and may also be broadly applicable to other nanomaterial systems.

Computational Justification Towards Detection of Dual Anions on a Single Molecular Platform: The Role of Solvent in Decoration of Dual Channels

ABSTRACTRatiometric optical detection of analytes is a convenient strategy as the technique is devoid of relative error and background correction. Herein, solvent‐guided ratiometric optical recognition of fluoride and bisulfate anions by a low‐cost, “off‐the‐shelf” bioactive molecule, harmane (HRH) is thoroughly explored. Interestingly, solvent plays a dynamic role in the selective recognition of the dual anions via the dual channels of HRH in an intelligent manner. The probe displays high‐fidelity recognition behavior towards fluoride ion in an aprotic solvent (acetonitrile) and towards bisulfate ion in a protic environment (acetonitrile/water; 5:1; v/v). Both the channels of HRH are very selective for a particular anion (F−/HSO4−) in a specific solvent. Organized and comprehensive theoretical calculation denotes that hydrogen bonding between the acidic pyrrolic proton of HRH and fluoride for the first channel and the acidic proton of bisulfate and the pyridinic nitrogen for the second channel of HRH led to the formation of a hydrogen‐bonded ion pair (HBIP). Consequently, significant optical changes are observed in the visible region, which is convenient for real‐life detection of F− and HSO4− independently. The essential role of solvent in tuning the dual channels of HRH is an important artifact in the literature of fundamental photochemistry.

The Rise of Tandem Perovskite Light-Emitting Diode.

In 2024, tandem perovskite light-emitting diodes (tandem-PLEDs) achieved a breakthrough external quantum efficiency of 43.42%, with an organic electroluminescence (EL) unit stacked atop a perovskite EL unit, surpassing the previous single-junction perovskite LEDs. This innovative design enables a higher brightness at lower currents, enhancing the longevity and efficiency of the tandem-PLEDs. Additionally, the tandem-PLEDs can also be fabricated by combining a perovskite EL unit with a perovskite quantum dot unit. In this perspective, the key advancements in tandem-PLEDs are highlighted, focusing on the development of perovskite-organic materials, perovskite-perovskite quantum dots, and the design principles for obtaining efficient and stable charge generation layers. But more importantly, the challenges and solutions are discussed in fabricating all-perovskite tandem LEDs using strongly polar solvents that have yet to be reported nowadays. This comprehensive guide aims to support researchers in advancing the practical deployment of tandem-PLED technology.

Controlling Chemoselectivity in Ruthenium(II)-Induced Cyclization of Aniline-Functionalized Alkynes.

The cyclization of heteroatom-functionalized alkynes induced by d6-transition-metal centers has traditionally been associated with the vinylidene pathway. However, recent evidence suggests that d6-transition-metal centers can also activate alkynes through non-vinylidene pathways. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation into the reactions between the Ru(II) complex [Ru([9]aneS3)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ and 2-alkynylanilines. Our study revealed that the selectivity between the vinylidene and non-vinylidene pathways can be tuned by reaction temperature, substrate, and solvent polarity. This strategic control allows for the preferential formation of either C2- or C3-metalated indole zwitterion complexes. Additionally, we identified a rare decyclization mechanism that enables the conversion of C2-metalated indoles to C3-metalated indoles, underscoring the significance of product stability in these pathways. Overall, this work demonstrates practical approaches to control the preference between vinylidene and non-vinylidene pathways, which is crucial for the design of new catalysts and metalated heterocyclic complexes.

Solvation-Enhanced Salt Bridges.

Salt bridges formed by amidines and carboxylic acids represent an important class of noncovalent interaction in biomolecular and supramolecular systems. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to study the relationships between the strength of the interaction, the chemical structures of the components, and the nature of the solvent. The stability of the 1:1 complex formed in chloroform changed by 2 orders of magnitude depending on the basicity of the amidine and the acidity of the acid, which is consistent with proton transfer in the complex. Polar solvents reduce the stabilities of salt bridges formed with N,N'-dialkylamidines by up to 3 orders of magnitude, but this dependence on solvent polarity can be eliminated if the alkyl groups are replaced by protons in the parent amidine. The enhanced stability of the complex formed by benzamidine is due to solvation of the NH sites not directly involved in salt bridge formation, which become significantly more polar when proton transfer takes place, leading to more favorable interactions with polar solvents in the bound state. Calculation of H-bond parameters using density functional theory was used to predict solvent effects on the stabilities of salt bridges to within 1 kJ mol-1. While H-bonding interactions are strong in nonpolar solvents, and solvophobic interactions are strong in polar protic solvents, these interactions are weak in polar aprotic solvents. In contrast, amidinium-carboxylate salt bridges are stable in both polar and nonpolar aprotic solvents, which is attractive for the design of supramolecular systems that operate in different solvent environments.

Diffusion in Polymethylene Chain Solutions with a Polar Component.

A hydrodynamic bead model based on Kirkwood-Riseman theory has been used to calculate the translational diffusion constant, D, for solutes with polymethylene chains in solutions with a polar component. A comparison with the experimental values for nonpolar n-alkanes in polar 2-propanol, tetrahydrofuran, chlorobenzene, chloroform, 1-octanol, quinoline, and chloroform (78 D values) and polar primary alcohols in nonpolar benzene and n-octane (24 D values) gives an average absolute percentage difference of ∼3% between the 102 experimental and calculated D values. Consideration of the solvent's temperature-dependent changes in the degree of aggregation due to hydrogen bonding was necessary for the n-alkanes in 1-octanol. Good agreement was not found for primary alcohols in 1-octanol due to solute-solvent hydrogen bonding. A correlation that depends on the solutes' molar volumes instead of their chain lengths gives worse agreement than the bead model for the n-alkanes in polar solvents and primary alcohols and n-alkanes in nonpolar solvents.

Aminolysis of five-membered cyclic carbonate catalyzed by guanidines: Solvent effects on the formation of guanidine dimers

This paper presents an experimental and computational investigation on the aminolysis reactions of five-membered cyclic carbonate (5CC) catalyzed by mono- or bi-cyclic guanidines in various solvents. For both liquid and solid 5CC substrate employed, higher polar solvent favors the monomeric active guanidine responsible for the catalytic aminolysis reactions. The formation of the dimeric state of the guanidine catalyst, which is seemingly inert to catalytic activity, is prevented by the bulkier substituents connecting to the guanidine moiety. Extensive DFT calculations further confirm that the relative stabilities of dimeric guanidine is depended on both the polarities of the solvents and the bulkiness of the substituents connected to the guanidine moiety, which is consistent with the experimental kinetic results.

Estimation of Electric Dipole Moment by Solvatochromism, Computational Method, and Study of the Effect of Solvents by Preferential Solvation of 6 - Methoxy-4-(4-Nitro-Phenoxy Methyl)-Chromen-2-One (6mnpm).

At room temperature, the absorption and fluorescence properties of coumarin 6-Methoxy-4-(4-nitro-phenoxy methyl)-chromen-2-one (6MNPM) are investigated in pure organic solvents and a combination of acetonitrile (ACN) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). The pure solvents' influence on spectral characteristics is examined by applying theories such as Kamlet and Catalan's multiple linear regression techniques, Reichardt's microscopic solvent polarity parameter, and the Lippert-Mataga polarity function. The significant role of solute-solvent interactions in pure solvents, particularly dielectric interaction and hydrogen bonding. However, hydrogen bonding interactions dominate the contribution of dielectric interactions. The electric dipole moments of both the ground as well as excited states had been calculated using the Solvatochromic method. The value of the excited state electric dipole moment and the redshifts of the emission spectra show that the emitting singlet state has an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character. From Catalan's linear regression, we found that di-polarity has a much smaller influence than polarizability. By solvation study, we conclude that Tetrahydrofuran solvent is preferred over Acetonitrile.

Enhanced Homogeneity in Perovskite Photovoltaic Films via Antisolvent Extraction of a Methylamine-Based Gel Precursor.

Solution-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are at the forefront of next-generation photovoltaics, exhibiting outstanding photoelectric performance and cost-effective manufacturing. However, the prevalent use of polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide in the preparation of perovskite precursor solution hinders complete solvent removal during film formation. Their high boiling points and strong coordinating abilities lead to solvated intermediates and heterogeneous perovskite crystal nucleation, particularly in the absence of the antisolvent-assisted crystallization. To address this, we developed a methylamine (MA)-based gel dispersion system that significantly improves the uniformity of perovskite films. By employing ethyl acetate (EA) antisolvent extraction, the gel precursor is extracted from a solution of MAI and PbI2 in MA ethanol, which is then diluted in pure acetonitrile (ACN) solvent to form a clear perovskite precursor solution. Benefiting from the highly volatile nature of the ACN-based gel perovskite precursor solution and its rich concentration of high-valent PbIn2-n coordination compounds, this approach enables the fabrication of high-quality MAPbI3 perovskite films, yielding PCEs of 21.34% for PSC and 19.77% for a 5 × 5 cm2 mini-module. This MA-based gel perovskite precursor strategy offers a promising avenue for potential applications in the scalable manufacture of PSCs.

Dual-emission spiropyran-functionalized covalent organic framework–based nanofiber mat microsensors for fluorescence colorimetric sensing of trace water

A dual-emission spiropyran-functionalized covalent organic framework (MCH@COF) was synthesized using acyl chlorination for the first time in this study. The excited state of MCH@COF had a strong intramolecular charge transfer property, and its solvent-solvent interaction with polar solvents caused MCH@COF to exhibit solvatochromic behavior. Furthermore, the face-to-face stacking of the H-aggregating form of MCH@COF was found to be disrupted in the presence of water. Consequently, MCH@COF demonstrated exceptional sensitivity (detection limit = 0.02 %, v/v) and a wide linear range (0 %–50 %, v/v) as a ratiometric fluorescence probe for water. To expand its applications, MCH@COF was doped with a nanofiber mat comprising polylactic acid/polyvinylpyrrolidone, resulting in the development of a microsensor. By combining the microsensing device with a heating volatilization extraction method, the visual fluorescence colorimetric detection of water in solid samples was realized. The method showed the advantages of small-sample requirement (20 mg), low matrix interference (achieved through the separation of matrix and water via heating volatilization), high sensitivity (maximum color difference (ΔC) of 166.14), and suitability for rapid field detection (sensing time of 4 min, with color change observed using the naked eye under visible light).

Effect of Polar Aprotic Solvents on the Physical, Chemical, and Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Acetate Bioplastic Films

Abstract There has been a growing interest in bioplastics as a solution to increasing greenhouse gases and the pile up of waste caused by fossil-based non-biodegradable plastics. However, the use of harmful solvents in their synthesis may continue to be detrimental to the environment. A novel bio-based solvent, CyreneTM, is seen as an alternative to toxic polar aprotic solvents. With this, the study aimed to compare the properties of cellulose acetate (CA) bioplastic films using acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), and CyreneTM as solvents and glycerol as the plasticizer. The following tests were used to characterize the synthesized bioplastics: Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), density, moisture content, biodegradability, tensile strength, Young’s Modulus, and elongation at break. CyreneTM films were found to have significantly high moisture content and elongation at break. A weight loss of 29% in biodegradation was recorded for CyreneTM films without glycerol over the course of 23 days. The properties of the CyreneTM films show that it may be applicable for mulching films and seedling containers in agricultural applications due to their high affinity for water. It can be concluded that the study of CyreneTM solvent for the synthesis of CA films and its properties contributes to greener synthesis methods for bioplastics.

Ag nanoparticles on arginine-cyanoguanidine functionalized magnetic g-C3N4: A catalyst for nitroaromatic hydrogenation and regioselective click reactions

This study describes the development of a novel hybrid nanocatalyst that was obtained by doping magnetic g-C3N4 with Ag nanoparticles and modifying it with arginine and cyanoguanidine (Ag@Fe3O4-g-C3N4-Arg-CG). Comprehensive characterization of the nanocatalyst using techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TGA confirmed its structural and morphological properties. The catalytic efficiency of the synthesized nanostructure was evaluated in two key reactions: the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds and a click reaction for 1,2,3-triazole synthesis. The results demonstrate that Ag@Fe3O4-g-C3N4-Arg-CG effectively reduced various nitroaromatic compounds to substituted anilines at room temperature using NaBH4 as the reducing agent. Nitrobenzene reduction did not proceed in aprotic solvents such as acetonitrile, CH2Cl2, and dimethylformamide, whereas it exhibited a high reaction yield in protic solvents such as ethanol and water. The highest yield (100 %) was observed in water at 50 °C using H2O solvent. Additionally, the nanohybrid exhibited significant potential for “green” click chemistry by efficiently synthesizing 1,2,3-triazoles under mild conditions, with low catalyst loading. Its magnetic properties facilitated easy recovery, and the catalyst maintained high activity over six cycles, making it suitable for sustainable applications in organic transformations.

Effectiveness Evaluation of the aqueous and alcoholic Mesembry-anthemum crystallinum L extract on the fungus Candida albicans

Scientific studies indicate the use of medicinal plants as antibiotics for some pathogenic fungi, as they do not cause side effects when used in the specified doses, either by extracting the active ingredients from each plant alone or by extracting them from more than one plant species. Thus, this study targeted the effect of inhibiting the active ingredients of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. on the activity of the fungus Candida albicans using polar solvents, namely water, ethyl alcohol and methanol, and detecting its content of active compounds. The results showed that the Ghassoul plant contains saponins and resins, as well as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and tannins in the aqueous extract, while its content was phenols, proteins, amino acids and tannins in the ethylene and methanol alcoholic extracts. The results also showed that the ethyl alcohol extract has an effect on the activity of Candida albicans, as the highest average inhibition diameter was 17 mm, and thus it can be used as a new antifungal material, while the methanol and aqueous extracts of Ghassoul have the lowest average inhibition diameters on Candida albicans, which are 16 mm and 15 mm, respectively. Keywords: medicinal plants, Ghassoul plant, aqueous extract, alcoholic extract, Candida albicans.

Development of Donor-acceptor-type Molecules and Their Application as Analytical Reagents

π-Extended donor-acceptor (D-A)-type molecules, which bear both electron-donor and electron-acceptor substituents on the backbone, exhibit unique optical properties, such as bathochromic shifts in absorption and emission, large Stokes shifts, solvatochromic behavior, and fluorescence quenching in polar solvents. These unique properties are attributed to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) or twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) in the ground and excited states. This review article introduces three types of D-A-type molecules that are used as detection reagents for (1) methanol, (2) amino acids during solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), and (3) amines present in the biological environment. For methanol detection, D-A-type fluorophores with basic guanidine moieties were developed to differentiate between methanol (MeOH) and ethanol (EtOH) based on the small difference in their pKa values (ΔpKa=0.4). Selective protonation of the guanidine moiety in methanol disrupts the D-A structure, allowing emission in the resultant polar environment. Similarly, an acid-base reaction between the hydrogen chloride (HCl) salts of the D-A-type molecules and amines is applied to detect amines during SPPS. In this method, a colorless solution of an HCl salt of the D-A-type molecule is deprotonated by amines, forming a yellow solution. This is the first reported quantitative and non-destructive colorimetric method for detecting amines. Finally, a turn-on-type amine-labeling reagent was developed for the nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reaction. This new reagent enables protein staining of living cells with a large Stokes shift and without solvent-polarity-dependent fluorescence quenching.

Tailoring Light-Harvesting in Zn-Porphyrin and Carbon Fullerene based Donor-Acceptor Complex through Ethynyl-Extended Donor π-Conjugation.

Organic photovoltaic efficiency though currently limited for practical applications, can be improved by means of various molecular-level modifications. Herein the role of extended donor -conjugation through ethynyl-bridged meso-phenyl/pyridyl on the photoinduced charge-transfer kinetics is studied in noncovalently bound Zn-Porphyrin and carbon-fullerene based donor-acceptor complex using time-dependent optimally tuned range-separated hybrid combined with the kinetic rate theory in polar solvent. Noncovalent dispersive interaction is identified to primarily govern the complex stability. Ethynyl-extended -conjugation results in red-shifted donor-localized Q-band with substantially increased dipole oscillator strength and smaller exciton binding energy, suggesting greater light-harvesting efficiency. However, the low-lying charge-transfer state below to the Q-band is relatively less affected by the ethynyl-extended -conjugation, yielding reduced driving forces for the charge-transfer. Detailed kinetics analysis reveals similar order of charge-transfer rate constants (~1012 s-1) for all donor-acceptor composites studied. Importantly, enhanced light-absorption, smaller exciton binding energy and similar charge-transfer rates together with reduced charge-recombination make these complexes suitable for efficient photoinduced charge-separation. These findings will be helpful to molecularly design the advanced organic donor-acceptor blends for energy efficient photovoltaic applications.

Photoisomerization of two 2-hydroxy-5-arylazobenzaldehydes in solvents of different polarities.

Two azo dyes 2-hydroxy-5-(4-nitrophenylazo)benzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-5-(4-chlorophenylazo)benzaldehyde dissolved in carbon tetrachloride, hexane, acetone and acetonitrile were irradiated with 365nm UV light, and processes, occurring in them, were studied by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. It was established that reversible trans/cis photoisomerization of the molecules occurs in the non-polar solvents and is not observed in the polar solvents. 2D NOESY NMR spectroscopy was used to identify isomers of the azo compounds. Based on the chemical shifts of the signals, it was established that these compounds are in the trans-form before UV irradiation. Spectra of the azo dyes before and after UV irradiation allowed assignment of the chemical shifts of the cis-isomers. In polar solvents these compounds undergo a hypochromic effect under heating or irradiation with UV light. Both compounds exhibit solvatochromism. The shifts in NMR signals caused by photoisomerization of the molecules were compared with the shifts in the NMR signals of other azo compounds such as Disperse Orange 3, Disperse Red 1 and azobenzene.

Effect of branching in the alkyl chain of diglycolamide on the sequestration of tetravalent actinides: solvent extraction and theoretical studies.

DGA (diglycolamide) ligands show a different extraction behavior of trivalent metal ions by changing the branching alkyl chain length as well as the branching at the methylene position. There are no studies of these factors on the extraction efficiency of these DGA derivatives for the extraction of tetravalent actinides. We have evaluated four different DGA derivatives for the extraction of Np, Pu, and Th from molecular diluents. The n-butyl derivative shows enhanced extraction efficiency and branching gives rise to a reduction in the extraction efficiency of tetravalent ions. The distribution ratios are higher in pure octanol than in a mixture of 30% octanol and 70% n-dodecane. This behavior is in marked difference to that of the extraction of trivalent ions where the addition of an alcohol generally decreases the distribution ratio of trivalent ions due to the ligand-modifier intercation, poor aggregation or micelle formation tendency of DGAs in polar solvents. This suggests that micelle-mediated extraction may not be the dominating factor for the extraction of tetravalent metal ions. Slope analysis suggests the involvement of only two DGA molecules in the extracted species suggesting no/poor possibility of micelle formation in the present system. The higher extraction in pure octanol may be due to a better solubility of the extracted complexes in this polar medium compared to the mixture of octanol and n-dodecane. The water and acid uptake, the back extraction, and the radiation stability of the solvent systems were also investigated. DFT studies were performed to get a better insight into the extraction and complexation of the different DGA solvent systems.

TFE Terpolymers: Once Promising - Are There Still Perspectives in the 21st Century? Part II: Processing, Properties, Applications.

Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) terpolymers have emerged as advantageous substitutes for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Therefore, they are being considered as alternatives to PTFE in many application areas. The advantages of TFE terpolymers include their facile processability at elevated temperatures, their solubility in some polar organic solvents, their inertness against aqueous acids, aqueous bases and a large number of mostly nonpolar organic solvents, their low dielectric constant, their low refractive index as well as useful electro- and thermochemical properties. This review on TFE terpolymers focuses on their processing including shaping and surface modification as well as on selected properties including wettability, dielectric properties, mechanical response behavior, chemical stability, and degradability. Applications including their use as elastomeric sealing material, liner and cladding layer as well as their use as material for membranes, microfluidic devices, photonics, photovoltaics, energy storage, energy harvesting, sensors, and nanothermitic composites will be discussed. The review concludes with a discussion of the future potential of TFE terpolymers and scientific challenges to be addressed by future research on TFE terpolymers.