Recent progress in synthesis of fluorine containing monomers for polyimides

Hybrid Thin Film Encapsulation for Improving the Stability of PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells

The instability to moisture, heat, and ultraviolet (UV) light is the main problem in the application of quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs). Thin film encapsulation can effectively improve their operational stability. However, it is difficult to achieve multiple barrier effects with single layer of encapsulated film. Here, a hybrid thin-film encapsulation strategy is reported to encapsulate lead sulfide QDSCs, which can isolate moisture and partial thermal, and prevent the penetration of UV light, thus retarding the surface oxidation process of the quantum dots. After 60 h, the encapsulated device retains a normalized power conversion efficiency of 83.8% and 80.6% at 85% humidity and 75 °C, respectively, which is three and six times of the value obtained in unencapsulated devices. At continuous UV illumination, encapsulated device exhibits five times higher stability than the reference. This strategy provides the way for the overall improvement of the operating stability of lead sulfide QDSCs in harsh environments of high humidity, high temperature, and UV light.

Synergistic antibacterial effects of closantel and its enantiomers in combination with colistin against multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria

Drug combinations and repurposing have recently provided promising alternatives to cope with the increasingly severe issue of antibiotic resistance and depletion of natural drug molecular repertoires that undermine traditional antibacterial strategies. Closantel, an effective adjuvant, reverses antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacteria. Herein, the combined antibacterial enantioselectivity of closantel is presented through separate enantiomer studies. Despite yielding unexpected differences, two closantel enantiomers (R, S) increased colistin activity against gram-negative bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices of R-closantel and S-closantel combined with colistin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli ranged from 0.0087 to 0.5004 and from 0.0117 to 0.5312, respectively. This difference was further demonstrated using growth inhibition assays and time-killing curves. Mechanistically, a higher intracellular concentration of R-CLO is more effective in enhancing the antimicrobial activity of combination. A mouse cutaneous infection model confirmed the synergistic stereoselectivity of closantel. This discovery provides novel insights for developing precision medication and containment of increasing antibiotic resistance.

New Fluorine-Containing Diamine Monomers for Potentially Improved Polyimides

Two new fluorine-containing diamine monomers were designed with the goal of reducing charge transfer complex (CTC) interactions between neighboring chains in polyimides (i.e., high transparency/low color) while hopefully maintaining the well-known thermal stability and flexibility generally associated with polyimides. The proposed diamines have been prepared through (1) the functionalization of 1,3-bis[(pentafluorobenzyl)oxy]benzene with 4-aminophenol and (2) the addition of 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride to 4,4'-bicyclohexanol followed by reduction of the resulting dinitro compound. The new compounds have been characterized by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopy and high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction on the new diamine prepared from 4,4'-bicyclohexanol. Not only was the structure of the proposed new diamine confirmed, but another interesting example of hydrogen bonding between an N-H proton and the π-system of an aromatic ring was observed and documented. Initial polymerizations have been carried out via the two-step imidization process.

Current State of Microflow Trifluoromethylation Reactions

The trifluoromethyl group is a powerful structural motif in drugs and polymers; thus, developing trifluoromethylation reactions is an important area of research in organic chemistry. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in developing new methods for the trifluoromethylation of organic molecules, ranging from nucleophilic and electrophilic approaches to transition-metal catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrolytic reactions. While these reactions were initially developed in batch systems, more recent microflow versions are highly attractive for industrial applications owing to their scalability, safety, and time efficiency. In this review, we discuss the current state of microflow trifluoromethylation. Approaches for microflow trifluoromethylation based on different trifluoromethylation reagents are described, including continuous flow, flow photochemical, microfluidic electrochemical reactions, and large-scale microflow reactions.

Synthesis and characterization of an adamantane-based copolyimides with high transparency

In this work, a copolyimide (Co-PI) film with high transparency was prepared by the copolymerization of hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA), 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 2,2′-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB) and adamantane-1,3-diamine (DAA). The effects of DAA monomers on the optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the co-PIs were discussed in detail. We found that the preparation of polyimide (PI) based on the combination of two dianhydrides and two diamines could obtain the co-PI film with excellent comprehensive performance due to the synergy between the -CF3 group, the aliphatic ring and the aromatic structure. Through the structure and composition optimization, the co-PI film with 1.30% DAA (Q3) has a Tg of 374oC, T5 higher than 530oC, T430 of 82% and the tensile strength higher than 145 MPa. These results indicate that the Co-PI films can be successfully utilized in the development of novel heat-resistant plastic substrates for the optoelectronic engineering applications.

Rapid Access to Fluorinated Anilides via DAST-Mediated Deoxyfluorination of Arylhydroxylamines

A new strategy for the synthesis of fluorinated anilides in the absence of metals and oxidants has been developed. This deoxyfluorination of N-arylhydroxylamines with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) proceeded smoothly under mild conditions, and the ortho- or para-fluorinated aromatic amine products were prepared in moderate to good yields. Structurally diverse fluorinated anilides, including heterocyclic and pharmaceutically relevant molecules, can be efficiently constructed by this protocol.

Transparent Polyimide/Organoclay Nanocomposite Films Containing Different Diamine Monomers

Poly (amic acid) s (PAAs) were synthesized using 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropyl-idene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and two types of diamines—bis(3-aminophenyl) sulfone (BAS) and bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone (BAS-OH). Two series of transparent polyimide (PI) hybrid films were synthesized by solution intercalation polymerization and thermal imidization using various concentrations (from 0 to 1 wt%) of organically modified clay Cloisite 30B in PAA solution. The thermo-mechanical properties, morphology, and optical transparency of the hybrid films were observed. The transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) results showed that some of the clays were agglomerated, but most of them showed dispersed nanoscale clay. The effects of -OH groups on the properties of the two PI hybrids synthesized using BAS and BAS-OH monomers were compared. The BAS PI hybrids were superior to the BAS-OH PI hybrids in terms of thermal stability and optical transparency, but the BAS-OH PI hybrids exhibited higher glass transition temperatures (T_g) and mechanical properties. Analysis of the thermal properties and tensile strength showed that the highest critical concentration of organoclay was 0.50 wt%.

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated poly(ether imide)s containing pyridine and/or phenylphosphine oxide moieties

4-(4-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,6-bis[4-(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]pyridine (9FPBAPP), as a new aromatic diamine, was prepared by a modified Chichibabin reaction of 4-(4-nitro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)acetophenone with 4-triflouromethylbenzaldehyde, followed by a catalytic reduction. A series of fluorinated poly(ether imide)s containing pyridine and/or phenylphosphine oxide moieties were prepared from bis(3-aminophenyl)phenylphosphine oxide (BAPPO), 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA), and 9FPBAPP via a conventional two-step thermal imidization procedure with various mole ratios of BAPPO and 9FPBAPP. All the polymers were amorphous and soluble in common organic solvents such as N, N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and had Tg’s of 277–285°C, 5% weight loss temperature of 521–550°C in nitrogen. Furthermore, high char yields and good limited oxygen index values indicated that these polymers exhibited good thermal stability and flame-retardant property. Tough and flexible polymer films also had good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 75–99 MPa, tensile moduli of 1.1–1.6 GPa, and elongations at break of 12%–24% and low dielectric constants of 2.81–3.53 (1 MHz), as well as high optical transparency with the ultraviolet cutoff wavelength in the range of 350–384 nm.

Picking One out of Three: Selective Single C-F Activation in Trifluoromethyl Groups

The introduction of a trifluoromethyl (CF₃ ) group into an organic molecule can modify its chemical behavior and lead to changes in its physicochemical and pharmacological properties. The CF₃ group is often chosen for its chemical inertness and stability, which are related to the strong C-F bonds. In recent years, the potential of gaining straightforward access to difluorinated compounds through selective single C-F activation in CF₃ groups has been unveiled. This review describes the latest methodologies for the synthesis of difluoromethylated arenes, difluoroalkenes and difluorinated aldol products of potential synthetic and/or biological interest, employing low-valent metals, transition metal catalysis, FLP and Lewis acid mediated transformations as well as photoredox catalysis.

Design and synthesis of high heat-resistant, soluble, and hydrophobic fluorinated polyimides containing pyridine and trifluoromethylthiophenyl units

In this study, a novel diamine monomer, 4-(4-trifluoromethylthiophenyl)-2,6-bis(4-aminophenyl)pyridine (FTPAP) was synthesized through two-step reaction from 4-trifluoromethylthiobenzaldehyde and 4-nitroacetophenone as raw materials, and then the structure of FTPAP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. A series of fluorinated polyimides were prepared from FTPAP with five commercial dianhydrides, namely, pyromellitic dianhydride, biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride, oxydiphtahalic anhydride, benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride. The structure and performance of the fluorinated polymers were fully characterized by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The inherent viscosity of polymers ranged from 0.41 to 1.45 dL g−1. These polymers displayed good solubility in polar aprotic solvents, such as N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, at room temperature or on heating. Furthermore, they exhibited outstanding thermal stability with glass transition temperatures beyond 305°C, and the temperature of 10% weight loss was in the range of 514–573°C with more than 56% residue at 800°C under nitrogen. Moreover, they showed high optical transparency with the cutoff wavelengths in the range of 385–457 nm and excellent hydrophobic property with contact angle in the range of 82.8–97.6°. In addition, the results of WAXD indicated that all of the polymers presented amorphous structure.

Synthesis and Characterization of Organosoluble, Thermal Stable and Hydrophobic Polyimides Derived from 4-(4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)phenyl)-2,6-bis(4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)pyridine

A novel aromatic diamine monomer, 4-(4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)phenyl)-2,6-bis(4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)pyridine (PPAPP) containing pyridine rings, pyrrolidine groups, and ether linkages, was successfully synthesized using 4-hydroxyacetophenone and 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene as starting materials by three-step reactions, and then used to synthesize a series of polyimides by polycondensation with various aromatic dianhydrides via a two-step method. The structure of PPAPP was characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and mass spectrometry analysis methods. These polymers showed good solubility in common organic solvents (e.g., NMP, DMF, DMSO, and DMAc) at room temperature or on heating. Moreover, they presented a high thermal stability with the glass transition temperature (Tgs) exceeding 316 °C, as well as the temperature of 10% weight loss ranged from 552⁻580 °C with more than 67% residue at 800 °C under nitrogen. Furthermore, they also exhibited excellent hydrophobicity with a contact angle in the range of 85.6°⁻97.7°, and the results of Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD) indicated that all of the polymers revealed an amorphous structure.

Optically transparent and organosoluble poly(ether imide)s based on a bis(ether anhydride) with bulky 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl moiety and various fluorinated bis(ether amine)s

Novel optically transparent and organosoluble poly(ether imide)s (PEIs) were prepared from 4,4′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl dianhydride and various fluorinated bis(ether amine)s via chemical or thermal imidization. The effects of fluorinated groups and the imidization method on the properties of PEIs were investigated. Fluorinated PEIs prepared by the chemical imidization method exhibited essentially colorless characteristic with cutoff wavelengths lower than 380 nm, and yellowness index (b* values) ranging from 5.2 to 7.3, which are close to that of transparent polyarylate polymer (b* = 3.3). In addition, all fluorinated PEIs showed excellent solubility in common organic solvents. The thermal decomposition temperature at 10% weight loss is higher than 490°C, and the glass transition temperatures are in the range of 245–315°C. The fluorinated PEI series also exhibited low dielectric constants of 2.95–3.29 (1 MHz) and low moisture absorption in the range of 0.17–0.86 wt%, which are lower than the analogous nonfluorinated series.

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of new highly processable, hole-transporting fluorocyclic aryl amine polymers

Perfluorocyclopentene (PFCP) aryl ether amine polymers demonstrate excellent solution processing into optically transparent, electrochemically active films as a potential hole-transporting layer material for organic electronic devices.