Universal Chain-End Coupling Conditions for Brominated Polystyrenes, Polyacrylates, and Polymethacrylates

Atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC), performed with or without radical traps, has allowed for high extents of coupling (Xc) for a variety of brominated polymers, yet structurally different polymeric chain ends require unique reagents and reaction conditions. Inspired by a similar study that focused on universal conditions for the controlled polymerization of different monomers using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), this work focuses on developing a single set of conditions (or conditions with as little variation as possible) that will achieve extents of coupling greater than 80% or end-brominated chains of polystyrene (PSBr), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMABr), and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMABr). The radical traps α-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP), and nitrosobenzene (NBz) were chosen in this study, along with copper catalysts, reducing agents, and nitrogen-based ligands. Ultimately, a single set of effective reaction conditions was identified with the only difference being the radical trap used: MNP was effective for coupling PSBr and PMABr while NBz was necessary to achieve similarly high extents of coupling for PMMABr.

Comparison of Manganese Dioxide and Permanganate as Amendments with Persulfate for Aqueous 1,4-Dioxane Oxidation

Persulfate (PS) is widely used to degrade emerging organic contaminants in groundwater and soil systems, and various PS activation methods (e.g., energy or chemical inputs) have been considered to increase oxidation strength. This study investigates PS activation through manganese amendment in the form of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) to subsequently degrade the emerging and recalcitrant groundwater contaminant 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D). The activation of PS by MnO2 was confirmed by radical trap and by product formation. The degradation kinetics of 1,4-D by PS was also compared with varying amendments of KMnO4 and MnO2. The results showed that MnO2 activated PS, which increased the degradation rate constant of 1,4-D. KMnO4 activation of PS was not observed even though the binary oxidant mixture did enhance the degradation of 1,4-D. These results have implications for applying in situ chemical oxidation in subsurface systems, especially for conditions wherein manganese exists naturally in groundwater or aquifer minerals to support possible PS activation.

Methyl Radical Initiated Kharasch and Related Reactions

An improved procedure to run halogen atom and related chalcogen group transfer radical additions is reported. The procedure relies on the thermal decomposition of di-<i>tert</i>-butylhyponitrite (DTBHN), a safer alternative to the explosive diacetyl peroxide, to produce highly reactive methyl radicals that can initiate the chain process. This mode of initiation generates byproducts that are either gaseous (N₂) or volatile (acetone and methyl halide) thereby facilitating greatly product purification by either flash column chromatography or distillation. In addition, remarkably simple and mild reaction conditions (refluxing EtOAc during 30 minutes under normal atmosphere) and a low excess of the radical precursor reagent (2.0 equivalents) make this protocol particularly attractive for preparative synthetic applications. This initiation procedure has been demonstrated with a broad scope since it works efficiently to add a range of electrophilic radicals generated from iodides, bromides, selenides and xanthates over a range of unactivated terminal alkenes. A diverse set of radical trap substrates exemplifies a broad functional group tolerance. Finally, di-<i>tert</i>-butyl peroxyoxalate (DTBPO) is also demonstrated as alternative source of <i>tert-</i>butoxyl radicals to initiate these reactions under identical conditions which gives gaseous byproducts (CO₂).

Methyl Radical Initiated Kharasch and Related Reactions

An improved procedure to run halogen atom and related chalcogen group transfer radical additions is reported. The procedure relies on the thermal decomposition of di-<i>tert</i>-butylhyponitrite (DTBHN), a safer alternative to the explosive diacetyl peroxide, to produce highly reactive methyl radicals that can initiate the chain process. This mode of initiation generates byproducts that are either gaseous (N₂) or volatile (acetone and methyl halide) thereby facilitating greatly product purification by either flash column chromatography or distillation. In addition, remarkably simple and mild reaction conditions (refluxing EtOAc during 30 minutes under normal atmosphere) and a low excess of the radical precursor reagent (2.0 equivalents) make this protocol particularly attractive for preparative synthetic applications. This initiation procedure has been demonstrated with a broad scope since it works efficiently to add a range of electrophilic radicals generated from iodides, bromides, selenides and xanthates over a range of unactivated terminal alkenes. A diverse set of radical trap substrates exemplifies a broad functional group tolerance. Finally, di-<i>tert</i>-butyl peroxyoxalate (DTBPO) is also demonstrated as alternative source of <i>tert-</i>butoxyl radicals to initiate these reactions under identical conditions which gives gaseous byproducts (CO₂).

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of the Essential Oil of Moroccan Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil isolated from Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) leaves, Masters originating in Morocco (Benslimane Region, Atlantic-influenced plain). The analysis of the major compounds of essential oil was performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and this oil is dominated by bornyl acetate (35.05%), camphor (11.17%), and α-pinene (10.84%). The antioxidant properties were evaluated by the test of the radical trap 2,2-diphényl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and the antimicrobial activity of T. articulata essential oil was tested against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli which have been inhibited from the 25 μg/mL.

Bi2WO6/C-Dots/TiO2: A Novel Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Fluoroquinolone Levofloxacin from Aqueous Medium

Photocatalytic materials and semiconductors of appropriate structural and morphological architectures as well as energy band gaps are materials needed for mitigating current environmental problems, as these materials have the ability to exploit the full spectrum of solar light in several applications. Thus, constructing a Z-scheme heterojunction is an ideal approach to overcoming the limitations of a single component or traditional heterogeneous catalysts for the competent removal of organic chemicals present in wastewater, to mention just one of the areas of application. A Z-scheme catalyst possesses many attributes, including enhanced light-harvesting capacity, strong redox ability and different oxidation and reduction positions. In the present work, a novel ternary Z-scheme photocatalyst, i.e., Bi2WO6/C-dots/TiO2, has been prepared by a facile chemical wet technique. The prepared solar light-driven Z-scheme composite was characterized by many analytical and spectroscopic practices, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the Bi2WO6/C-dots/TiO2 composite was evaluated by studying the degradation of fluoroquinolone drug, levofloxacin under solar light irradiation. Almost complete (99%) decomposition of the levofloxacin drug was observed in 90 min of sunlight irradiation. The effect of catalyst loading, initial substrate concentration and pH of the reaction was also optimized. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared catalyst was also compared with that of bare Bi2WO6, TiO2 and TiO2/C-dots under optimized conditions. Scavenger radical trap studies and terephthalic acid (TPA) fluorescence technique were done to understand the role of the photo-induced active radical ions that witnessed the decomposition of levofloxacin. Based on these studies, the plausible degradation trail of levofloxacin was proposed and was further supported by LC-MS analysis.

Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of Neutral Octahedral Alkyl-Cobalt(III) Complexes Bearing a Dianionic Pentadentate Ligand

<div>A variety of neutral alkyl-cobalt(III) complexes bearing a dianionic tetrapodal </div><div>pendadentate ligand B2Pz4Py are reported. Compounds 2-R (R = CH3, CH2SiMe3, </div><div>CH2SiMe2Ph, i Bu, CH2(c-C5H9) and (CH2)4CH=CH2) are synthesized in 58-90% yield. These </div><div>diamagnetic, octahedral complexes are thermally stable up to 110˚C and are also </div><div>remarkably stable to ambient atmosphere. They were fully characterized by spectroscopic </div><div>techniques, and in three cases, X-ray crystallography. Evidence for reversible homolytic </div><div>cleavage of the Co-C bonds was found in their reactions with the hydrogen atom donor 1,4-</div><div>cyclohexadiene and the radical trap TEMPO, as well as the observed cyclization of the 5-</div><div>hexenyl group to the methylcyclopentyl derivative over the course of several hours. </div><div>Despite these observations, it can be concluded that the diborate B2Pz4Py ligand provides a </div><div>very stable platform for these Co(III) alkyls. Reduction by one electron to a Co(II) alkyl can </div><div>accelerate bond homolysis, but in this instance, using cobaltocene as the reducing agent, </div><div>leads to ejection of an alkide anion through bond heterolysis, an unusual reaction for </div><div>Co(III) alkyls. Finally, protonation of compound 2-Me with the strong acid HNTf2 leads to </div><div>divergent reactivity in which the major protonation site is the pyridyl nitrogen of the ligand </div><div>as opposed to protonation of the methyl group. The produce of protonation at nitrogen is </div><div>the dimeric species 4 which was prepared via separate synthesis and characterized by Xray crystallography.</div>

Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of Neutral Octahedral Alkyl-Cobalt(III) Complexes Bearing a Dianionic Pendadentate Ligand

<div>A variety of neutral alkyl-cobalt(III) complexes bearing a dianionic tetrapodal </div><div>pendadentate ligand B2Pz4Py are reported. Compounds 2-R (R = CH3, CH2SiMe3, </div><div>CH2SiMe2Ph, i Bu, CH2(c-C5H9) and (CH2)4CH=CH2) are synthesized in 58-90% yield. These </div><div>diamagnetic, octahedral complexes are thermally stable up to 110˚C and are also </div><div>remarkably stable to ambient atmosphere. They were fully characterized by spectroscopic </div><div>techniques, and in three cases, X-ray crystallography. Evidence for reversible homolytic </div><div>cleavage of the Co-C bonds was found in their reactions with the hydrogen atom donor 1,4-</div><div>cyclohexadiene and the radical trap TEMPO, as well as the observed cyclization of the 5-</div><div>hexenyl group to the methylcyclopentyl derivative over the course of several hours. </div><div>Despite these observations, it can be concluded that the diborate B2Pz4Py ligand provides a </div><div>very stable platform for these Co(III) alkyls. Reduction by one electron to a Co(II) alkyl can </div><div>accelerate bond homolysis, but in this instance, using cobaltocene as the reducing agent, </div><div>leads to ejection of an alkide anion through bond heterolysis, an unusual reaction for </div><div>Co(III) alkyls. Finally, protonation of compound 2-Me with the strong acid HNTf2 leads to </div><div>divergent reactivity in which the major protonation site is the pyridyl nitrogen of the ligand </div><div>as opposed to protonation of the methyl group. The produce of protonation at nitrogen is </div><div>the dimeric species 4 which was prepared via separate synthesis and characterized by Xray crystallography.</div>

Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of Neutral Octahedral Alkyl-Cobalt(III) Complexes Bearing a Dianionic Pentadentate Ligand

<div>A variety of neutral alkyl-cobalt(III) complexes bearing a dianionic tetrapodal </div><div>pendadentate ligand B2Pz4Py are reported. Compounds 2-R (R = CH3, CH2SiMe3, </div><div>CH2SiMe2Ph, i Bu, CH2(c-C5H9) and (CH2)4CH=CH2) are synthesized in 58-90% yield. These </div><div>diamagnetic, octahedral complexes are thermally stable up to 110˚C and are also </div><div>remarkably stable to ambient atmosphere. They were fully characterized by spectroscopic </div><div>techniques, and in three cases, X-ray crystallography. Evidence for reversible homolytic </div><div>cleavage of the Co-C bonds was found in their reactions with the hydrogen atom donor 1,4-</div><div>cyclohexadiene and the radical trap TEMPO, as well as the observed cyclization of the 5-</div><div>hexenyl group to the methylcyclopentyl derivative over the course of several hours. </div><div>Despite these observations, it can be concluded that the diborate B2Pz4Py ligand provides a </div><div>very stable platform for these Co(III) alkyls. Reduction by one electron to a Co(II) alkyl can </div><div>accelerate bond homolysis, but in this instance, using cobaltocene as the reducing agent, </div><div>leads to ejection of an alkide anion through bond heterolysis, an unusual reaction for </div><div>Co(III) alkyls. Finally, protonation of compound 2-Me with the strong acid HNTf2 leads to </div><div>divergent reactivity in which the major protonation site is the pyridyl nitrogen of the ligand </div><div>as opposed to protonation of the methyl group. The produce of protonation at nitrogen is </div><div>the dimeric species 4 which was prepared via separate synthesis and characterized by Xray crystallography.</div>