Upcycling Polyolefin Blends into High-Performance Materials by Exploiting Azidotriazine Chemistry Using Reactive Extrusion.

The revalorization of incompatible polymer blends is a key obstacle in realizing a circular economy in the plastics industry. Polyolefin waste is particularly challenging because it is difficult to sort into its constituent components. Untreated blends of polyethylene and polypropylene typically exhibit poor mechanical properties that are suitable only for low-value applications. Herein, we disclose a simple azidotriazine-based grafting agent that enables polyolefin blends to be directly upcycled into high-performance materials by using reactive extrusion at industrially relevant processing temperatures. Based on a series of model experiments, the azidotriazine thermally decomposes to form a triplet nitrene species, which subsequently undergoes a complex mixture of grafting, oligomerization, and cross-linking reactions; strikingly, the oligomerization and cross-linking reactions proceed through the formation of nitrogen-nitrogen bonds. When applied to polyolefin blends during reactive extrusion, this combination of reactions leads to the generation of amorphous, phase-separated nanostructures that tend to exist at polymer-polymer interfaces. These nanostructures act as multivalent cross-linkers that reinforce the resulting material, leading to dramatically improved ductility compared with the untreated blends, along with high dimensional stability at high temperatures and excellent mechanical recyclability. We propose that this unique behavior is derived from the thermomechanically activated reversibility of the nitrogen-nitrogen bonds that make up the cross-linking structures. Finally, the scope of this chemistry is demonstrated by applying it to ternary polyolefin blends as well as postconsumer polyolefin feedstocks.

Rational Design of Mono- and Bi-Nuclear Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes Containing Di-Pyridylamine Motifs: Synthesis, Structure, and Luminescent Properties.

Heteroleptic cyclometalated iridium (III) complexes (1-3) containing di-pyridylamine motifs were prepared in a stepwise fashion. The presence of the di-pyridylamine ligands tunes their electronic and optical properties, generating blue phosphorescent emitters at room temperature. Herein we describe the synthesis of the mononuclear iridium complexes [Ir(ppy)2(DPA)][OTf] (1), (ppy = phenylpyridine; DPA = Dipyridylamine) and [Ir(ppy)2(DPA-PhI)][OTf] (2), (DPA-PhI = Dipyridylamino-phenyliodide). Moreover, the dinuclear iridium complex [Ir(ppy)2(L)Ir(ppy)2][OTf]2 (3) containing a rigid angular ligand "L = 3,5-bis[4-(2,2'-dipyridylamino)phenylacetylenyl]toluene" and displaying two di-pyridylamino groups was also prepared. For comparison purposes, the related dinuclear rhodium complex [Rh (ppy)2(L)Rh(ppy)2][OTf]2 (4) was also synthesized. The x-ray molecular structure of complex 2 was reported and confirmed the formation of the target molecule. The rhodium complex 4 was found to be emissive only at low temperature; in contrast, all iridium complexes 1-3 were found to be phosphorescent in solution at 77 K and room temperature, displaying blue emissions in the range of 478-481 nm.

Synthesis of Benzo[c][2,7]naphthyridinones and Benzo[c][2,6]naphthyridinones via Ruthenium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition between 1,7-Diynes and Cyanamides.

A convenient method for the ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of benzo[c]naphthyridinone derivatives is reported. The [2+2+2] cycloaddition from various mono- and disubstituted 1,7-diynes and cyanamides provided benzo[c][2,7]naphthyridinones as major products and benzo[c][2,6]naphthyridinones as minor ones in yields of ≤79% and regioselectivities of ≤99:1. This method is amenable to internal and terminal diynes and a number of cyanamides with diverse functional group tolerance.

Cyclometalated Rhodium and Iridium Complexes Containing Masked Catecholates: Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemistry, and Luminescence Properties.

Two neutral cyclometalated rhodium and iridium coordination assemblies [(F2ppy)2M(η-Cat)], M = Rh, (2) and M = Ir, (3) (F2ppy: 2,4-difluorophenylpyridine), displaying a masked catecholate (η-Cat = η-O∧O) are described. The catecholate ligand is π-bonded to an organometallic Cp*Ru(II) moiety. The latter brings stability to the whole system in solution and suppresses the formation of the related paramagnetic semiquinone complex. The determination of the molecular structure of the iridium complex [(F2ppy)2Ir(η-Cat)] (3) corroborates the formation of the target compound and reveals the generation of a rare two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb supramolecular architecture in the solid state, in which the Δ-enantiomer self-assembles with the Λ-enantiomer through encoded π-π interactions among individual units. The electrochemistry of complexes 2 and 3 was investigated and showed that reduction occurs at very negative potentials (∼-2.2 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE)), while oxidation of the cyclometalated Rh and Ir centers occurs at 0.8 and 0.86 V. In contrast to complexes with 1,2-dioxolene chelates, which are nonemissive, the heterodinuclear diamagnetic complexes 2 and 3 were found to be emissive at room temperature both in solution and in the solid state. Moreover, at 77 K in a solid state, both compounds display opposite emission behavior, for instance, complex 3 displays a blue-shifted emission, while rhodium compound 2 exhibits red-shifted emission to lower energy.

Enantiopure, luminescent, cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene-naphthalimide chromophore: design, vibrational circular dichroism and TD-DFT calculations.

A series of chiral cyclometalated iridium complexes of the type [Ir(C^N)2(C^C:)], {(C^N) = ppy (2); dfppy (3)} featuring a naphthalimide N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (C^C:) = (Naphthalimide-NHC) are described and fully characterized. The racemic complexes rac-2 and rac-3 were resolved via chiral column chromatography techniques into their corresponding enantiopure species Δ-2, Λ-2, Δ-3, Λ-3 as confirmed by their CD curves. This unique class of molecules containing organic and inorganic chromophores might be used as a platform to probe the stereochemical effect on the photophysical properties. Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) was used as an important tool to assign successfully the stereochemistry of the enantiomers. TD-DFT calculations are also advanced to support the experimental studies and to rationalize the observed results.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Poly(silylether)s: Access to Degradable Polymers from Renewable Resources.

The design of new materials with tunable properties and intrinsic recyclability, derived from biomass under mild conditions, stands as a gold standard in polymer chemistry. Reported herein are platinum complexes which catalyze the formation of poly(silylether)s (PSEs) at low catalyst loadings. These polymers are directly obtained from dual-functional biobased building blocks such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) or vanillin, coupled with various dihydrosilanes. Access to different types of copolymer architectures (statistical or alternating) is highlighted by several synthetic strategies. The materials obtained were then characterized as low Tg materials (ranging from -60 to 29 °C), stable upon heating (T-5% up to 301 °C) and resistant towards uncatalyzed methanolysis. Additionally, quantitative chemical recycling of several PSEs could be triggered by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis or methanolysis. These results emphasize the interest of biobased poly(silylether)s as sustainable materials with high recycling potential.

Silver(I) Oxide-/DBU-Promoted Synthesis of Dihydrofuran Units through Allenyl Silver Formation.

A formal [3+2] cyclization mediated by silver(I) oxide and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) is described herein. Through a broad variety of carbonyl compounds, this system can promote cyclization reactions with high yield (up to 85 %) and diastereoselectivity (up to 95:5) for a straightforward access to complex and congested dihydrofuran derivatives in one step under mild conditions. Based on DFT studies, the proposed mechanism would involve an allenyl silver intermediate.

Capturing a Square Planar Gold(III) Complex Inside a Platinum Nanocage: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study.

A novel synthetic procedure was set up to gain access to platinum coordination cages Pt2L4, which are less investigated compared to their palladium counterparts. This Pt2L4 nanocage exhibits an adequate cavity for guest encapsulation. Indeed, the Au(III) metal complex [Au(bdt)2]- (bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate) was successfully captured inside the cavity, in contrast to the analogous palladium cage which failed to host the gold complex. This result represents a rare example where a metal complex with thio-ligands can be encapsulated in a coordination cage. Moreover, it highlights the role of the metal center and the robustness of the platinum cage for host-guest chemistry. This discovery will inspire researchers in this area to pay more attention to Pt-cages. The host-guest system was fully characterized by NMR techniques and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Moreover, the nature of the host-guest interaction in this unique example was investigated and rationalized by DFT computational studies.

Unique Class of Enantiopure N-Heterocyclic Carbene Half-Sandwich Iridium(III) Complexes with Stable Configurations: Probing Five-Membered versus Six-Membered Iridacycles.

A unique class of enantiopure N-heterocyclic carbene half-sandwich iridium complexes is reported. These compounds display stable configurations at the metal center, as demonstrated by their chiroptical properties. Remarkably, because of the nature of the naphthalimide molecule, two regioisomers containing five-membered [( R)-2a and ( S)-2a] and six-membered [( R)-2b and ( S)-2b] iridacycles were obtained. Density functional theory calculations are advanced to rationalize their relative stability.

Cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbene iridium(iii) complexes with naphthalimide chromophores: a novel class of phosphorescent heteroleptic compounds.

A series of cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of the general formula [Ir(C^N)2(C^C:)] has been prepared. Two sets of compounds were designed, those where (C^C:) represents a bidentate naphthalimide-substituted imidazolylidene ligand and (C^N) = ppy (3a), F2ppy (4a), bzq (5a) and those where (C^C:) represents a naphthalimide-substituted benzimidazolylidene ligand and (C^N) = ppy (3b), F2ppy (4b), bzq (5b). The naphthalimide-imidazole and naphthalimide-benzimidazole ligands 1a,b and the related imidazolium and benzimidazolium salts 2a,b were also prepared and fully characterized. The N-heterocyclic carbene Ir(iii) complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and elemental analysis. Moreover, the molecular structures of one imidazolium salt and four Ir(iii) complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures provide us with valuable information, most notably the orientation of the naphthalimide chromophore with respect to the N-heterocyclic carbene moiety. All compounds are luminescent at room temperature and in a frozen solvent at 77 K, exhibiting a broad emission band that extends beyond 700 nm. The presence of the naphthalimide moiety changes the character of the lowest excited state from 3MLCT to 3LC, as corroborated by DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Remarkably, replacing imidazole with a benzimidazole unit improves the quantum yields of these compounds by decreasing the knr values which is an important feature for optimized emission performance. These studies provide valuable insights about a novel class of N-heterocyclic carbene-based luminescent complexes containing organic chromophores and affording metal complexes emitting across the red-NIR range.

Mechanistic Aspects of the Polymerization of Lactide Using a Highly Efficient Aluminum(III) Catalytic System.

We report here a unique example of an in situ generated aluminum initiator stabilized by a C2-symmetric salen ligand which shows a hitherto unknown high activity for the ROP of rac-lactide at room temperature. Using a simple and robust catalyst system, which is prepared from a salen complex and an onium salt, this convenient route employs readily available reagents that afford polylactide in good yields with narrow polydispersity indices, without the need for time-consuming and expensive processes that are typically required for catalyst preparation and purification. In line with the experimental evidence, DFT studies reveal that initiation and propagation proceed via an external alkoxide attack on the coordinated monomer.

Encapsulation of a metal complex within a self-assembled nanocage: synergy effects, molecular structures, and density functional theory calculations.

A novel palladium-based metallacage was self-assembled. This nanocage displayed two complementary effects that operate in synergy for guest encapsulation. Indeed, a metal complex, [Pt(NO2)4](2-), was hosted inside the cavity, as demonstrated by solution NMR studies. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the guest adopts two different orientations, depending on the nature of the host-guest interactions involved. A density functional theory computational study is included to rationalize this type of host-guest interaction. These studies pave the way to a better comprehension of chemical interaction and transformation within confined nanospaces.

Zinc and cobalt complexes based on tripodal ligands: synthesis, structure and reactivity toward lactide.

The coordination chemistry of a series of pro-ligands ([L¹]-[L6]) with cobalt and zinc derivatives has been studied. All complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR, elemental analysis, and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Polymerization of rac-lactide takes place at 130 °C in the presence of cobalt and zinc complexes to yield polymers under solvent free conditions with controlled molecular masses and narrow polydispersities.

Self-Assembled M2L4 Nanocapsules: Synthesis, Structure and Host-Guest Recognition Toward Square Planar Metal Complexes.

Metallosupramolecular cages of the general formulas [M2(L)4][X]4 can be self-assembled in good yields, where M = Pd, X = NO3, L = L¹ (1a); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L¹ (1b); M = Pt, X = OTf, L = L¹ (2); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L² (3); L¹ = 1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)-5-methoxybenzene; and L² = 2,6-(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)- 4-methoxyaniline, respectively. These cages have been fully characterized using ¹H, 13C NMR, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. Additionally the molecular structure of [Pd2(L¹)4][OTf]4 (1b) was confirmed using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The capacity of central cavities of M2L4 cages to accommodate square planar metal complexes was investigated. In particular, the tetracationic cage [Pd2(L²)4][OTf]4 (3) was found to encapsulate the anionic metal complex [PtCl4]2- through electrostatic interactions and also via hydrogen bonding with the amino groups of the bridging ligand displayed by this nanocage.

Near-infrared room temperature emission from a novel class of Ru(II) heteroleptic complexes with quinonoid organometallic linker.

A novel class of luminescent octahedral ruthenium complexes 2-4 displaying a π-bonded quinonoid ligand is described. Remarkably, the presence of this organometallic ligand affects their UV-vis properties and transforms them into panchromatic absorbers. Furthermore, it turns on room temperature NIR emissions.

Polymersomes with PEG corona: structural changes and controlled release induced by temperature variation.

Thermoresponsive behavior of different kinds of polymersomes was studied using small angle neutron scattering (SANS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR). The polymersomes were made of block copolymers containing a 2000 Da polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a hydrophilic block and either a liquidlike polymer (e.g., PBA: polybutylacrylate), a solidlike polymer (PS: polystyrene), or a liquid crystalline (LC) polymer as a hydrophobic block. Structural changes in polymersomes are driven in all cases by the critical dehydration temperature of PEG corona, which is closely related to the chemical structure and chain mobility of the hydrophobic block. No structural changes occur upon heating from 25 to 75 °C in the liquidlike polymersomes where the critical dehydration temperature of PEG should be higher than 75 °C. In contrast, glassy PEG-b-PS polymersomes and LC polymersomes show structural changes around 55 °C, which corresponds to the critical dehydration temperature of PEG in those block copolymers. Furthermore, the structural changes depend on the properties of the hydrophobic layer. Glassy PEG-b-PS polymersomes aggregate together above 55 °C, but the bilayer membrane is robust enough to remain intact. This aggregation is reversible, and rather separate polymersomes are recovered upon cooling. However, LC polymersomes display drastic and irreversible structural changes when heated above ∼55 °C. These changes are dependent on the LC structures of the hydrophobic layer. Nematic LC polymersomes turn into thick-walled capsules, whereas smectic LC polymersomes collapse into dense aggregates. As these drastic and irreversible changes decrease or remove the inner compartment volume of the vesicle, LC polymersomes can be used for thermal-responsive controlled release, as shown by a study of calcein release. Finally, toxicity studies proved that LC polymersomes were noncytotoxic and had no effect on cell morphology.

The design, synthesis and photochemical study of a biomimetic cyclodextrin model of photoactive yellow protein (PYP).

The design, synthesis and study of the photophysical and photochemical properties of the first biomimetic cyclodextrin (CD) model of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) are described. This model bears a deprotonated trans-p-coumaric acid chromophore, covalently linked via a cysteine moiety to a permethylated 6-monoamino ß-CD. NMR and UV/Visible spectroscopy studies showed the formation of strong self-inclusion complexes in water at basic pH. Steady-state photolysis demonstrated that, unlike the free chromophore in solution, excitation of the model molecule leads to the formation of a photoproduct identified as the cis isomer by NMR spectroscopy. These observations provide evidence that the restricted CD cavity offers a promising framework for the design of biomimetic models of the PYP hydrophobic pocket.

Synthetic and mechanistic pathways of cis and trans-hydroxytamoxifen drug derivatives reacting with Cp*Rh complexes that involve η1-N, η2-N,O, η1-O, and η6 bonding modes, via a novel N-π rearrangement; relative binding affinities and computer docking studies of cis and trans-η6-Cp*Rh-hydroxytamoxifen complexes at the estrogen, ERα and ERß receptors, and growth inhibition to breast cancer cells.

The reactions of the breast cancer drug metabolite derivatives of tamoxifen, cis and trans-hydroxytamoxifen, cis-1 and trans-2, with [Cp*Rh(L)(3)](2+) complexes (L = H(2)O or MeOH), in CH(2)Cl(2) and CH(3)OH solvents, initially provided the kinetic η(1)-N complexes, cis-4 (OTf(-), CH(3)OH) and trans-5 (OTf(-), CH(3)OH), which underwent a novel, regioselective, intramolecular N-π rearrangement to give the cis and trans-η(6)-phenol substituted complexes, cis-6 and trans-7, via η(2)-N,O, η(1)-O, and ether aromatic ring η(6) intermediates. Recent density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed a preferred ground state for η(1)-N; η(2)-N,O; η(1)-O; and the η(6) complexes, including the prominent roles of the triflate anion (OTf(-)), and solvent molecules (CH(2)Cl(2) and CH(3)OH), and provided further steric, electronic, and thermodynamic data on the mechanism of the N-π rearrangement. The η(6) complex, cis-6, was shown to be an antagonist for ERα estrogen receptor binding, in a competition experiment with the female hormone, estradiol; therefore, computer docking studies of this biologically active complex at the estrogen receptors, ERα and ERß, also provided information on the binding modes and thermodynamic parameters, while bioassay results provided growth inhibition data on both hormone dependent and independent breast cancer cell lines.

Chiral octahedral bimetallic assemblies with Δ-TRISPHAT as counter anion: design, anion metathesis, and Cp*Ir as a probe for chiral recognition.

The chiral octahedral bimetallic assemblies [(bpy)(2)Ru(o-L(Ir))][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (2), [(ppy)(2)Rh(o-L(Ir))][NO(3)] (7) and [(ppy)(2)Ir(o-L(Ir))][NO(3)] (8) featuring chelating organometallic linker [Cp*Ir(η(4)-o-benzoquinone)] (o-L(Ir)) have been prepared and fully characterized. Anion metathesis following a convenient procedure allowed the preparation of the related diastereomers [Δ-(bpy)(2)Ru(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT](2) (2a) and [Λ-(bpy)(2)Ru(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT](2) (2b) as well as the octahedral rhodium [(Δ, Λ)-(ppy)(2)Rh(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT] (7a, 7b) and iridium [(Δ, Λ)-(ppy)(2)Ir(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT] (8a, 8b) bimetallic assemblies. (1)H NMR studies in solution carried out on these compounds showed different behavior. For instance, the rhodium and iridium compounds exhibited weak chiral recognition in contrast the ruthenium compounds allowed facile differentiation between the two diastereomers suggesting that chiral recognition occurs between the enantiopure anion and the cationic part of the molecule.