Integrating 31P DOSY NMR spectroscopy and molecular mechanics as a powerful tool for unraveling the chemical structures of polyoxomolybdate-based amphiphilic nanohybrids in aqueous solution.

Novel organic-inorganic hybrids of various sizes were generated by reaction of 1,8-octanediphosphonic acid (ODP) and (NH4)6Mo7O24 in aqueous solution. The formation of rodlike hybrids with variable numbers of covalently bound ODP and polyoxomolybdate (POM) units can be tuned as a function of increasing (NH4)6Mo7O24 concentration at fixed ODP concentration. The chemical structure of the ODP/POM hybrids was characterized by (1)H, (31)P, and (95)Mo NMR spectroscopy. Heteronuclear (31)P DOSY (diffusion- ordered NMR spectroscopy) and molecular mechanics (MM) calculations were applied to determine the size and shape of the nanosized hybrids generated at various ODP/POM ratios. For this purpose, the structures of ODP/POM hybrids with variable numbers of ODP and POM units were optimized by MM and then approximated as cylinder-shaped objects by using a recently described mathematical algorithm. The thus-obtained cylinder length and diameter were further used to calculate the expected diffusion coefficients of the ODP/POM hybrids. Comparison of the calculated and experimentally determined diffusion coefficients led to the most probable ODP/POM hybrid length for each sample composition. The (31)P DOSY results show that the length of the hybrids increases with increasing POM concentration and reaches a maximum corresponding to an average of 8 ODP/7 POM units per chain at a sample composition of 20 mM ODP and 14 mM POM. With excess POM, above the latter concentration, the formation of shorter-chain hybrids terminated by Mo7 clusters at one or both ends was evidenced on further increasing the POM concentration. The results demonstrate that the combination of (31)P DOSY and MM, although virtually unexplored in POM chemistry, is a powerful innovative strategy for the detailed characterization of nanosized organic-inorganic POM-based hybrids in solution.

Silica-anchored organotin trichloride: a recyclable and clean organotin catalyst for transesterification reactions.

A new synthetic scheme towards silica-supported organotrichlorotin derivatives has been developed. It involves the synthesis of (11-triethoxysilyl)undecyltricyclohexyltin, followed by sol-gel processing and, subsequently in the formation of the resulting hybrid silica, by electrophilic substitution of the tricyclohexyltin function by the target grafted trichlorotin using tin tetrachloride. HR-MAS (119)Sn and CP-MAS (29)Si NMR combined with N2-sorption and TEM measurements evidenced the formation of a mesoporous organic-inorganic hybrid silica including a functionally pure supported-organotrichlorotin species. This silica-grafted organotrichlorotin displays a satisfactory catalytic activity in the transesterification of ethyl acetate by 1-octanol. The catalyst could be recycled four times without significant loss of activity. Furthermore, tin leaching below 10 ppm evidences the benefits of the proposed strategy to limit tin contamination of the final products.

In situ study of the deposition of (ultra)thin organic phosphonic acid layers on the oxide of aluminum.

The interest in self-assembling monolayer deposition on various oxide substrate surfaces is steeply increasing in the last decades. Although many studies are being performed, literature does not come with a general insight in the adsorption of these layers on oxide surfaces. Also for the deposition of phosphonic acids on aluminum oxides, there is no global consensus. In this paper, we present an original in situ analysis in order to eludicate the real layer formation mechanism. First of all, the state of the phosphonic acid molecules was determined using DOSY NMR, making sure that no structures other than free molecules were present at the concentration used. With in situ atomic force microscopy and in situ visual ellipsometry, multilayers of phosphonic acids, showing 3D island growth, were determined. It was shown that using the variation of the in situ obtained roughness and bearing ratio, together with the equivalent thickness modeled by ellipsometry, the growth of the layers occurs in situ in three different stages. They consist of increasing number of islands growth, followed by filling up the gaps between islands. At last, within the adsorption time frame measured, the islands grow further in dimensions but not in numbers. This closely corresponds with the behavior of the octylphosphonic acid films analyzed by ex situ techniques.

Elucidation of the chemical and morphological structure of double-network (DN) hydrogels by high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR spectroscopy.

(1)H HRMAS NMR spectroscopy is applied to gain insight into the chemical and morphological structure of double-network (DN) hydrogels, prepared from poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) and poly(acrylamide) (PAAm). The method enables one to obtain detailed information at the molecular level about the formation of covalent bonds between the two polymer networks through non-reacted double bonds of the cross-linker N,N'-methylene bis(acrylamide) (MBAA). Evidence to the existence of strong hydrogen-bond interactions based on the N-H group of the PAMPS as a hydrogen-bond donor and the C=O group of the PAAm as a hydrogen-bond acceptor is also provided. These findings clarify the origin of the toughening mechanism and the exceptionally strong mechanical properties of DN gels, further supported by microhardness data.

The solid-state organization of 'self-doped' PPV oligomers.

Using a combination of multi-frequency EPR and NMR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations at the level of Density Functional Theory (DFT), the organization of self-doped PPV oligomers in their solid state is investigated. The analysis of the different spectra shows that the electrochemical procedure used to self-dope these materials produces positive radicals (polarons) in an almost quantitative way, but still magnetically isolated polarons are observed. The difference between chemical and electrochemical oxidation of the oligomers is studied in detail. Furthermore, ageing of the electrochemically oxidized oligomers may be accompanied by a stacking of the oligomers.

ERETIC implemented in diffusion-ordered NMR as a diffusion reference: a clarification.

Additional information as to the objectives of our previous paper entitled 'ERETIC implemented in diffusion-ordered NMR as a diffusion reference' (Magn. Reson. Chem. 2008, 46, S63) is provided. The need for an optimal instrumental stability for the method proposed to be reliably applicable in view of these objectives is emphasized and illustrated.

Trilacunary A-beta-Keggin tungstogermanates and -silicates functionalized with phenyltin(IV) electrophiles.

The first organic derivative of a beta-Keggin tungstogermanate, the monomeric Keggin anion [{(C(6)H(5))Sn(OH)}(3)(A-beta-GeW(9)O(34))](4-) (1), was the only species isolated from the reaction of (C(6)H(5))SnCl(3) with Na(10)[A-beta-GeW(9)O(34)] in water, whereas the Si-analogue [{(C(6)H(5))Sn(OH)}(3)(A-beta-SiW(9)O(34))](4-) (2) and two dimeric tungstosilicates, the unprecedented species [{(C(6)H(5))Sn(A-beta-H(3)SiW(9)Sn(2)O(37))}(2)O(2)](8-) (3) and the known sandwich-type polyanion [{(C(6)H(5))Sn(OH)}(3)(A-beta-H(3)SiW(9)O(34))(2)](8-) (4), were isolated starting from [A-beta-SiW(9)O(34)](10-). The novel polyanion 3 can be described as the product of a double Sn-C hydrolysis followed by condensation of two subunits of 2 through double Sn-O-Sn bridge formation. Solid-state characterization has been carried out by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, representing the first structural analysis for 4. A full solution multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (117)Sn, and (183)W) and solid-state (117)Sn CP-MAS NMR study enabled full characterization of 1. A weak 1-dimensional polyanion association through (Sn)O-HO(t) hydrogen contacts involving one of the protonated bridging O atoms of the (C(6)H(5))(3)Sn(3)O(12) corner-shared triad is observed for 1 by X-ray diffraction, resulting in a local C(s) pseudosymmetry for the Sn centers detected by solid-state (117)Sn NMR spectroscopy.

Mixed micelles of Triton X-100, sodium dodecyl dioxyethylene sulfate, and synperonic l61 investigated by NOESY and diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy.

Mixed micelles formed from nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (TX100), anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl dioxyethylene sulfate (SDP2S), and triblock copolymer Synperonic L61 (SL61) were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The size and shape of the aggregates were determined by diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), while 2D nuclear Overhauser enhanced spectroscopy (NOESY) NMR was used to study the mutual spatial arrangement of the surfactant molecules in the aggregated state. An average micellar hydrodynamic radius of 3.6 nm, slightly increasing upon increasing TX100 molar fraction, was found for the mixed systems without additives. Addition of SL61 to the mixed micellar systems results in a slight increase of micellar radii. In the presence of AlCl3, an increase of TX100/SDP2S micellar sizes from 4 to 10 nm was found when increasing the SDP2S molar fraction. The mixed TX100/SDP2S micelles in the presence of both AlCl3 and polymer SL61 are almost spherical, with a radius of 4.5 nm. 2D NOESY data reveal that, as the individual TX100 micelles, mixed TX100/SDP2S and TX100/SDP2S/SL61/AlCl3 micelles also have a multilayer structure, with partially overlapping internal and external layers of TX100 molecules. In these mixed micelles, the SDP2S molecules are located at the level of the external layer of TX100 molecules, whereas the SL61 polymer is partially incorporated inside of the micellar core.

Phase behavior in blends of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer and poly(ether sulfone) studied by modulated-temperature DSC and NMR relaxometry.

The state diagram of a blend consisting of a copolymer containing ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, P(EO-ran-PO), and poly(ether sulfone), PES, is constructed by using modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC), T(2) NMR relaxometry, and light scattering. The apparent heat capacity signal in MTDSC is used for the characterization of polymer miscibility and morphology development. T(2) NMR relaxometry is used to detect the onset of phase separation, which is in good agreement with the onset of phase separation in the apparent heat capacity from MTDSC and the cloud-point temperature as determined from light scattering. The coexistence curve can be constructed from T(2) values at various temperatures by using a few blends with well-chosen compositions. These T(2) values also allow the detection of the boundary between the demixing zones with and without interference of partial vitrification and are in good agreement with stepwise quasi-isothermal MTDSC heat capacity measurements. Important interphases are detected in the heterogeneous P(EO-ran-PO)/PES blends.

ERETIC implemented in diffusion-ordered NMR as a diffusion reference.

The ERETIC (Electronic Reference To access In vivo Concentrations) technique generates an electronic signal in the NMR spectrometer which is detected simultaneously to the sample FID during the acquisition. The implementation of the ERETIC sequence in any 2D DOSY experimental scheme enables one to generate directly into the raw 2D DOSY spectrum a reference signal with an attenuation simulated to describe a well-defined diffusion behavior. This simulated intensity attenuation can be used to evaluate the output generated by any DOSY data treatment algorithm, in a single as well as multichannel approach and provide insight into their precision, accuracy, scope and limitations. The ERETIC sequence implemented in the standard bipolar pulsed field gradient longitudinal eddy current delay (LED) sequence is illustrated on various algorithms presented previously in the literature for the analysis of the generated ERETIC-DOSY spectra of simulated model systems representing discrete and continuous diffusion profiles in mono- and bi-Gaussian diffusion regimes.

Phosphoesterase activity of polyoxomolybdates: diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy as a tool for obtaining insights into the reactivity of polyoxometalate clusters.

Diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY NMR) is shown to be an excellent tool for observing reactive transients in the hydrolysis of the phosphatase model substrate (p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (NPP) promoted by polyoxomolybdate.

Self-aggregation and supramolecular structure investigations of Triton X-100 and SDP2S by NOESY and diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy.

The self-aggregation and supramolecular micellar structure of two surfactants in aqueous solution, the anionic surfactant SDP2S (sodium dodecyl dioxyethylene-2 sulfate) and the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (octylphenol-polyoxyethylene ether with 9.5 ethoxy groups), were investigated by NMR spectroscopy. The critical micellar concentration (CMC), the size, and shape of the aggregates were determined by diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), while 2D NOESY NMR spectra were used to study the mutual spatial arrangement of surfactant molecules in the aggregated state. A nonlinear increase of the micellar hydrodynamic radius, indicating possible sphere-to-rod shape transition, was found for SDP2S at higher surfactant concentrations. Triton X-100 micelles were found to be almost spherical at low surfactant concentrations, but formation of ellipsoid shaped particles and/or micellar aggregation was observed at higher concentrations. The NOESY data show that at low concentration Triton X-100 forms a two-layer spherical structure in the micelles, with partially overlapping internal and external layers of Triton X-100 molecules and no distinct hydrophilic-hydrophobic boundary.

Investigation of the dynamic stereochemistry of dimesityl-2,4,6-trimethoxyphenylmethane by complete lineshape analysis and 2D EXSY NMR spectroscopy.

The static and dynamic stereochemistry of dimesityl-2,4,6-trimethoxyphenylmethane in solution was investigated by lineshape analysis of 1D NMR spectra and cross-peak amplitude processing in 2D EXSY spectra, recorded at variable temperatures. Previous studies on this propeller-shaped chiral compound show that the stereomer threshold interconversion is associated with helicity reversal and occurs through [1,2]- and [1,3]-two ring flips of one mesityl and the 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl rings. In the present study, the experimental rate constants of the [1,2]- and [1,3]-two ring flips, which are identical, were determined at various temperatures by combining quantitative 2D EXSY spectra processing and complete lineshape analysis (CLSA) of 1D NMR spectra. The latter were subjected to reference deconvolution and linear prediction in order to eliminate the lineshape distortions due to magnetic field inhomogeneity. The activation parameters of these ring flips were determined by an Eyring equation analysis of the temperature dependence of the rate constant. The experimentally determined activation enthalpy and entropy for the two-ring flips, and those obtained from theoretical ab initio calculations at different levels of theory and basis sets, were found to be in good agreement.

Recipe for new diorganostannates, [R2Sn(OS(O)2R1)4]2-, bearing alkanesulfonate groups using dialkyl sulfite as the reagent.

A one-pot reaction between di-n-propyl/di-n-butyltin oxide, dialkyl sulfite, and triethylamine or tetra-n-alkylammonium iodide proceeds under ambient conditions (110-120 degrees C, 20 h) via sulfur-centered Arbuzov rearrangement to afford the corresponding dianionic tetraalkanesulfonato diorganostannates [R2Sn(OSO2Me)4].2Et3NMe [R = n-Pr (1), n-Bu (2)] as well as [n-Bu(2)Sn(OSO(2)R(1))(4)].(2)R(2)(4)N [R(1) = Me, Et, n-Pr; R(2) = Et (3, 5, and 7), n-Bu (4, 6, and 8)]. X-ray crystal structures of 2 and 3 reveal a monomeric motif of the dianion, with methanesulfonate groups acting as unidentate ligands. The (119)Sn NMR spectral studies suggest the existence of pentacoordinated tin species in solution.

Characterization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles dispersed in organic ligand solutions by using a diffusion-ordered spectroscopy-based strategy.

Diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY NMR) is presented as a tool for the determination of the diffusion coefficients of organic ligands in suspensions of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were prepared by a sol-gel process by hydrolysis and condensation reactions of titanium tetra-n-butoxide in the presence of pentane-2,4-dione (acacH: acetylacetone), as well as para-toluenesulfonic acid (pTsA) and n-butanol (nBuOH). NMR spectroscopic studies were performed in various deuterated solvents, on both dispersed xerosols and diluted sols. The bipolar-pulsed field gradient longitudinal eddy-current delay (LED) pulse sequence was used for data acquisition. The data were processed by inverse Laplace transformation (ILT), by using a maximum entropy algorithm, to afford 2D DOSY spectra. Different diffusion regimes for organic ligands in the bound and unbound states were successfully discriminated, more particularly in [D3]acetonitrile, thus allowing assessment of their interactions with the nanoparticles.

A doubly folded spacer in a self-assembled hybrid material.

The hydrolysis of a bridged alpha,omega-bis(trialkynylstannylated) compound leads to a hybrid material ordered by self-assembly where the spacer forms two six-membered [1,2]oxastanninane rings by intramolecular coordination.

Polystyrene-supported organotin dichloride as a recyclable catalyst in lactone ring-opening polymerization: assessment and catalysis monitoring by high-resolution magic-angle-spinning NMR spectroscopy.

Dialkyltin dichloride grafted to a cross-linked polystyrene, with the formula [P-H]((1-t))[P-(CH2)nSnBuCl2]t (P=[CH2CH(pC6H4)], t=the degree of functionalization, and n=6 or 11), is investigated as a recyclable catalyst in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epsilon-caprolactone (CL). It is demonstrated that high-resolution magic-angle-spinning (HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy is an invaluable tool to characterize completely the supported catalyst. The 2D 1H-13C HSQC HR-MAS spectrum, in particular, allowed extensive assignment of the 1H and 13C resonances, as well as accurate measurement of the (n)J((1)H-(117/119)Sn) and (n)J((13)C-(117/119)Sn) coupling constants. 1H and 119Sn HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy is presented as a monitoring tool for catalytic processes based on organotin compounds, particularly for the investigation of the extent to which polymerization residues are observable in situ in the material pores and for the assessment of the chemical integrity and recycling conditions of the grafted catalyst. From polymerization experiments with CL, initiated by n-propanol and with [P-H]((1-t))[P-(CH2)nSnBuCl2]t of various compositions as the supported catalyst, it appears that a partial 'burst' of the polystyrene support occurs when the length of the alkyl spacer is limited to n=6, as a result of polymer chains growing within the pores of the support. However, extension of the length of the aliphatic polymethylene spacer from 6 to 11 carbon atoms preserves the support integrity and allows the production of catalyst-deprived poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) oligomers. A preliminary attempt to recycle the heterogeneous catalyst has shown that very good reproducibility can be obtained, in terms of both catalyst activity and molecular-weight parameters of the as-recovered PCL polyester chains.

Alkylchlorotins grafted to cross-linked polystyrene beads by a -(CH2)n- spacer (n=4, 6, 11): selective, clean and recyclable catalysts for transesterification reactions.

Insoluble polystyrene grafted compounds of the type (P-H)(1-t){P-(CH2)n SnBu(p)Cl(3-p)}(t), (P-H)(1-t){P-(CH2)n SnBuO}(t) and (P-H)(1-t)[{P-(CH2)n SnBuCl}2O](t/2), in which (P-H) is a cross-linked polystyrene; n=4, 6, and 11; p=0 and 1; and t the degree of functionalisation, were synthesised from Amberlite XE-305, a polystyrene cross-linked with divinylbenzene. The compounds were characterised by using elemental analysis, and IR, Raman, solid-state 117Sn NMR, and 1H and 119Sn high-resolution MAS NMR spectroscopy. The influence of the spacer length and the tin functionality on the catalytic activity of these compounds, as well as their recycling ability, was assessed in the transesterification reaction of ethyl acetate with various alcohols. These studies showed significant differences in the activity of the catalysts interpreted in terms of changes in the mobility of the catalytic centres. Some of the supported catalysts could be recycled at least seven times without noticeable loss of activity. The residual tin content in the reaction products was found to be as low as 3 ppm.

In situ evaluation of interfacial affinity in CeO2 based hybrid nanoparticles by pulsed field gradient NMR.

Complexation affinity of laurate ligands (C(12)H(23)O(2)) grafted onto the surface of cerium(IV) oxide nanoparticles can be probed and quantified in situ, by pulsed field gradient (1)H NMR through the dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the size of a species.