Electrochemical and thermal studies of Li[NixLi(1/3−2x/3)Mn(2/3−x/3)]O2 (x = 1/12, 1/4, 5/12, and 1/2)

Samples of the layered cathode materials, Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂ (x = 1/12, 1/4, 5/12, and 1/2), were synthesized at 900 °C. Electrodes of these samples were charged in Li-ion coin cells to remove lithium. The charged electrode materials were rinsed to remove the electrolyte salt and then added, along with EC/DEC solvent or 1 M LiPF₆ EC/DEC, to stainless steel accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) sample holders that were then welded closed. The reactivity of the samples with electrolyte was probed at two states of charge. First, for samples charged to near 4.45 V and second, for samples charged to 4.8 V, corresponding to removal of all mobile lithium from the samples and also concomitant release of oxygen in a plateau near 4.5 V. Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂ samples with x = 1/4, 5/12 and 1/2 charged to 4.45 V do not react appreciably till 190 °C in EC/DEC. Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂ samples charged to 4.8 V versus Li, across the oxygen release plateau, start to significantly react with EC/DEC at about 130 °C. However, their high reactivity is similar to that of Li_0.5CoO₂ (4.2 V) with 1 μm particle size. Therefore, Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂ samples showing specific capacity of up to 225 mAh/g may be acceptable for replacing LiCoO₂ (145 mAh/g to 4.2 V) from a safety point of view, if their particle size is increased.     

Thermo- and pH-sensitive dendrimer derivatives with a shell of poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and study of their controlled drug release behavior

Novel dendrimer derivatives combining the temperature- and pH-sensitivities are synthesized. At first, polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with generations 1-5 are synthesized by the reaction of ethylenediamine with methyl acrylate, and then the dendrimers are acylated by chloroacetyl chloride to obtain PAMAM-Cl, which can act as a macroinitiator for further synthesizing functional dendrimers. For fulfilling this goal, the polymers consisting of a dendritic PAMAM core and poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMA) shell are synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Their macromolecular structures are characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, DSC and particle size analyses, and their aqueous solutions are inspected by UV spectroscopy for understanding their thermo- and pH-sensitivities. The results show that novel dendrimer derivatives exhibit clearly thermo- and pH-respondings in accordance with the change of the environment. Using chlorambucil (CLB) as a model drug, the behaviors of the controlled drug release from polymers with different average graft length of PDMA are studied. The results indicate that the rate of the drug release can be effectively controlled by the pH value.     

Electroreduction of (1<Emphasis Type="Italic">S,2S</Emphasis>)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-propane-1,3-diol derivatives. Behaviour of electrogenerated species and applications to organic synthesis

Hydroxylamines electrogenerated from (1S,2S)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-propane-1,3-diol derivatives (derivatives of p-nitrophenylserinol) are unstable in methanol–acetate buffer and practically stable in acetonitrile–aqueous acetate buffer. This latter medium was used to carry out subsequent reactions in situ involving the triacetylated p-hydroxylaminophenylserinol and various reagents. An azoxy compound was the major product isolated after reaction with maleic or phthalic anhydrides. In contrast, a benzoxazine dione was normally obtained with phthaloyl dichloride and a N-sulphonylated hydroxylamine was produced with p-toluenesulphonyl chloride.     

Mechanistic study of electrochemical oxidation of catechols in the presence of 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone: Application to the electrochemical synthesis

Electrochemical oxidation of catechols (1a-1c) has been studied in the presence of 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone (3) as a nucleophile in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the quinones derived from catechols (1a-1c) participate in Michael addition reactions with 3 to form the corresponding benzofuran (or isochromeno[4,3-c]quinoline) derivatives (6a-6c). The electrochemical synthesis of (6a-6c) has been successfully performed in an undivided cell in good yield and purity. The oxidation mechanism was deduced from voltammetric data and by coulometry at controlled-potential. The products have been characterized after purification by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS.     

Nickel complexes bearing 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-N-benzylidenequinolin-8-amines: Synthesis,structure and catalytic ethylene oligomerization

A series of 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-N-benzylidenequinolin-8-amines was synthesized and characterized. They are stable as solids while displaying a tendency to decompose in solution. On reaction with NiCl₂, different coordination pattern sets of L·NiCl₂ or [L₂Ni]²⁺·2Cl⁻ are obtainable in THF or ethanol. When activated by Et₂AlCl, the complexes L·NiCl₂ exhibit good to high catalytic activities and selectivities for 1-C₄ in ethylene oligomerization, while the complexes [L2Ni]²⁺·2Cl⁻ hardly showed any activity, which is attributable to nickel coordination by two ligands barring interaction of ethylene with the metal center.     

Mechanistic study of electrochemical oxidation of o-dihydroxybenzenes in the presence of 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone: Application to the electrochemical synthesis

Electrochemical oxidation of o-dihydroxybenzenes (1a and 1b) has been studied in the presence of 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone (3) as a nucleophile in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the o-quinones derived from o-dihydroxybenzenes (1a and 1b) participate in 1,4-(michael) addition reactions with 3 to form the corresponding new o-dihydroxybenzene derivatives (6a and 6b). We propose a mechanism for the electrode process. The efficient electrochemical synthesis of 6a and 6b has been successfully performed at carbon rod electrodes in an undivided cell in good yield and purity. The products have been characterized after purification by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS.     

Combustion synthesis of (Ti1−xNbx)2AlC solid solutions from elemental and Nb2O5/Al4C3-containing powder compacts

Preparation of the (Ti_1−xNb_x)₂AlC solid solution (formed from the M_n+1AX_n or MAX carbides, where n = 1, 2, or 3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X is C) with x = 0.2-0.8 was investigated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Nearly single-phase (Ti,Nb)₂AlC was produced through direct combustion of constituent elements. Due to the decrease of reaction exothermicity, the combustion temperature and reaction front velocity decreased with increasing Nb content of (Ti_1−xNb_x)₂AlC formed from the elemental powder compacts. In addition, the samples composed of Ti, Al, Nb₂O₅, and Al₄C₃ were adopted for the in situ formation of Al₂O₃-added (Ti,Nb)₂AlC. The SHS process of the Nb₂O₅/Al₄C₃-containing sample involved aluminothermic reduction of Nb₂O₅, which not only enhanced the reaction exothermicity but also facilitated the evolution of (Ti,Nb)₂AlC. Based upon the XRD analysis, two intermediates, TiC and Nb₂Al, were detected in the (Ti,Nb)₂AlC/Al₂O₃ composite and their amounts were reduced by increasing the extent of thermite reduction involved in the SHS process. The laminated microstructure characteristic of the MAX carbide was observed for both monolithic and Al₂O₃-added (Ti,Nb)₂AlC solid solutions synthesized in this study.     

(-)-1R,2S,5R-8-(4-溴苯)薄荷醇的合成与表征

以R-( )-长叶薄荷酮为起始原料,经1,4-加成、还原、溴代、水解等4步反应合成了标题化合物,总产率77%。其结构用1HNMR、13CNMR和IR进行了表征。     

CO2 absorption properties of Brønsted acid-base ionic liquid composed of N,N-dimethylformamide and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide

The solubilities of CO₂ and the liquid densities in a Brønsted acid-base ionic liquid, [DMFH][Tf₂N], composed of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (HTf₂N) have been investigated at high pressures and at different temperatures. The results were compared with those in DMF and a typical 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium analogue with the same anion, [BMIM][Tf₂N]. The mole fraction scaled solubilities of CO₂ in the three liquids showed a slight increase in the following order, DMF < [DMFH][Tf₂N] < [BMIM][Tf₂N], whereas more remarkable difference was observed in the volume scaled concentrations of CO₂, [BMIM][Tf₂N] < [DMFH][Tf₂N] « DMF, mainly due to the bulkiness of liquid entities.     

Electrocatalytic tandem Knoevenagel–Michael addition of barbituric acids to isatins: Facile and efficient way to substituted 5,5′-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-3,3-diyl)bis(pyrimidine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-trione) scaffold

Electrocatalytic transformation of isatins and barbituric acids in ethanol in an undivided cell in the presence of sodium bromide as an electrolyte results in the formation of substituted 5,5′-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-3,3-diyl)bis(pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-triones) in 89–95% substance yields and 890–950% current yields. The developed efficient electrocatalytic approach to medicinally relevant 5,5′-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-3,3-diyl)bis(pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione) scaffold is 10 times faster than general chemical method, is beneficial from the viewpoint of diversity-oriented large-scale processes and represents novel example of facile environmentally benign synthetic concept for electrocatalytic tandem reaction strategy.     

Electrosynthesis of nitroso compounds from (<Emphasis Type="Italic">1</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Bold">S</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">2</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Bold">S</Emphasis>)-2-amino-l-(4-nitrophenyl)-propane-1,3-diol derivatives

Nitroso compounds were electrogenerated from (1S, 2S)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-propane-1,3-diol derivatives (derivatives of p-nitrophenylserinol) in a “redox” flow cell equipped with two consecutive porous electrodes of opposite polarities. In spite. of the relative instability in methanol-acetate buffer of the hydroxylamine intermediates produced at the first porous electrode (cathode), the nitroso derivatives were prepared in good yields at the second one (anode). A coupling reaction between some nitroso derivatives and p-toluenesulphinic acid led to N-sulphonylphenylhydroxylamines.     

An investigation of intercalation-induced stresses generated during lithium transport through sol-gel derived LixMn2O4 film electrode using a laser beam deflection method

The stress changes Δσ generated during lithium transport through the sol-gel derived Li_xMn₂O₄ film electrodes annealed at 773 and 873 K were quantitatively determined as a function of the lithium stoichiometry x using a laser beam deflection method (LBDM). Δσ generated during a real potential step between an initial electrode potential and a final applied potential was uniquely specified by the Δσ versus x curve. The Li_xMn₂O₄ film annealed at 773 K for 24 h (low temperature (LT)-Li_xMn₂O₄) showed larger capacity than the Li_xMn₂O₄ film annealed at 873 K for 6 h (high temperature (HT)-Li_xMn₂O₄) and this result is ascribed to the fact that the smaller the grain size is, the more increases the electrochemically active area of the film electrode. From the analysis of the normalised Δσ transient measured simultaneously along with the cyclic voltammogram in the potential range of 2.5-3.4 VLi/Li⁺, it is found that normalised Δσ generated in the LT-Li_xMn₂O₄ was smaller than that in the HT-Li_xMn₂O₄ during the lithium intercalation/de-intercalation around 3.0 VLi/Li⁺ region. This result gives an experimental evidence for the fact that the Jahn-Teller distortion is suppressed by the increase in the average oxidation state of manganese with decreasing in annealing temperature.     

(3R*,5S*,6R*)-3,5-dimethyl-6-(methylethyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyran-2-one,a third sex pheromone component forMacrocentrus grandii (goidanich) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and evidence for its utility at eclosion

The compound (3R^*,5S^*,6R^*)-3,5-dimethyl-6-(methylethyl)-3, 4,5,6-tetrahydropyran-2-one was identified as a sex pheromone component ofM. grandii. Laboratory and field bioassays demonstrated that it elicits flight initiation, upwind anemotaxis, and casting in male wasps. The compound acts synergistically with (Z)-4-tridecenal, a previously identified sex pheromone component of femaleM. grandii, to increase male response to the aldehyde component. The source of the lactone was determined to be the mandibular glands of male and female wasps. At eclosion a majority of male-female and female-only cocoon masses released the lactone and attracted male wasps. Male-only cocoon masses were not attractive at eclosion and the lactone component was either not released or released at below-threshold concentration. Mating was observed to occur following eclosion in laboratory and field studies.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Some Properties of 4-Vinylpyridine-Cr(CO)5 Containing Polymers

The polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and 4-vinylpyridine chromium pentacarbonyl [(4VP)Cr(CO)₅] was performed under N₂ atmosphere at 60–80°C temperature range. Different percent of feed (%PF) of Cr(CO)₅ groups were anchored into poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) by addition of the intermediate Cr(CO)₅THF, which was generated photochemically from Cr(CO)₆ in THF, to the polymer at ambient temperature. The determined percent of anchoring (%PA) has shown that the maximum anchored Cr(CO)₅ groups was 40% (w/w) with respect to P4VP, and the optimum percent of anchoring was 20% (w/w). The rate of polymerization (R _p ) and the activation energy (E _a ) of 4VP in the absence and in the presence of 16.7% Cr(CO)₅(4VP) were determined. Thermal analysis has shown various changes in the properties of the 4VP polymers after modification of the polymer by Cr(CO)₅ groups. The X-ray diffraction and the melting enthalpy derived from the DSC thermogram revealed that the synthesized poly[(CO)₅Cr(4VP)] has a crystallinity of about 40%, whereas no crystallinity was observed for pure P4VP.     

Mechanism transition of cell-impedance-controlled lithium transport through Li1−δMn2O4 composite electrode caused by surface-modification and temperature variation

The mechanism transition of lithium transport through a Li_1−δMn₂O₄ composite electrode caused by the surface-modification and temperature variation was investigated using the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the potentiostatic current transient technique. From the analyses of the ac-impedance spectra, experimentally measured from unmodified Li_1−δMn₂O₄ and surface-modified Li_1−δMn₂O₄ with MgO composite electrodes, the internal cell resistance of the MgO-modified Li_1−δMn₂O₄ electrode was determined to be much smaller in value than that of the unmodified electrode over the whole potential range. Moreover, from the analysis of the anodic current transients measured on the MgO-modified Li_1−δMn₂O₄ electrode, it was found that the cell-impedance-controlled constraint at the electrode surface is changed to a diffusion-controlled constraint, which is characterised by a large potential step and simultaneously by a small amount of lithium transferred during lithium transport. This strongly suggests that the internal cell resistance plays a significant role in determining the cell-impedance-controlled lithium transport through the MgO-modified Li_1−δMn₂O₄ electrode. Furthermore, from the temperature dependence of the internal cell resistance and diffusion resistance in the unmodified Li_1−δMn₂O₄ composite electrode measured by GITT and EIS, it was concluded that which mechanism of lithium transport will be operative strongly depends on the diffusion resistance as well as on the internal cell resistance.     

2,3-二甲氧基-5-甲基-6-(3-甲基-2-烯-1-丁基)-1,4-苯酚的合成及其副产物的研究

2,3-二甲氧基-5-甲基-1,4-苯酚与2-甲基丁烯醇在BF3OEt2的催化下进行傅-克烷基化反应合成2,3-二甲氧基-5-甲基-6-(3-甲基-2-烯-1-丁基)-1,4-苯酚。对鲜见文献报道的副产物2,2,5-三甲基-3-氢-6-羟基-7,8-二甲氧基-苯并吡喃进行了结构鉴定并推测了其形成机理,在原料辅酶Q0、甲基丁烯醇和BR的配比为1：1.5：0.19(摩尔比),反应温度45℃,滴加时间30min,反应时间2h的条件下收率达90.24％。     

Comparative study of Li(Li1/3Ti5/3)O4 and Li(Ni1/2−xLi2x/3Tix/3)Ti3/2O4 (x = 1/3) anodes for Li rechargeable batteries

A solid solution of spinel (2/3)Li(Li_1/3Ti_5/3)O₄–(1/3)Li(Ni_1/2Ti_3/2)O₄ was prepared, and its structural/electrochemical properties were compared with Li(Li_1/3Ti_5/3)O₄ to identify the effect of doping to the structural invariance of Li(Li_1/3Ti_5/3)O₄. The solid solution retained the zero strain characteristic of Li(Li_1/3Ti_5/3)O₄ during discharge/charge with an excellent cycle stability, while the rate capability was notably improved. However, a reversible broadening of the XRD peak was observed at the end of discharge, indicating some structural changes. XANES measurements showed that the oxidation state of Ti was +4 and that of Ni was +2 in the solid solution.     

Synergistic Effects of A Combined Treatment of Glioblastoma U251 Cells with An Anti-miR-10b-5p Molecule and An AntiCancer Agent Based on 1-(3′,4′,5′-Trimethoxyphenyl)-2-Aryl-1H-Imidazole Scaffold

(1) Background: In the development of new and more effective anticancer approaches, combined treatments appear of great interest. Combination therapy could be of importance in the management of glioblastoma (GBM), a lethal malignancy that accounts for 42% of cancer of the central nervous system, with a median survival of 15 months. This study aimed to verify the activity on a glioblastoma cancer cell line of one of the most active compounds of a novel series of tubulin polymerization inhibitors based on the 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-aryl-1H-imidazole scaffold, used in combination with a miRNA inhibitor molecule targeting the oncomiRNA miR-10b-5p. This microRNA was selected in consideration of the role of miR-10b-5p on the onset and progression of glioblastoma. (2) Methods: Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin-V and Caspase 3/7 assays, efficacy of the anti-miR-10b-5p was assessed by determining the miR-10b-5p content by RT-qPCR. (3) Results: The results obtained show that a “combination therapy” performed by combining the use of an anti-miR-10b-5p and a 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-aryl-1H-imidazole derivative is an encouraging strategy to boost the efficacy of anticancer therapies and at the same time to reduce side effects.