Triarylborane-functionalized polynorbornenes: Direct polymerization and signal amplification in fluoride sensing

Air-Stable Boranes and Borinanes Encapsulated in Organogels for Anionic Ring-Opening (Co)Polymerization

Organoborane reagents play a pivotal role as Lewis acids in acid-base pairs used in anionic polymerization and in other reactions; yet their high sensitivity to oxygen and moisture necessitates effective stabilization to prevent their oxidation and thus maintain their catalytic activity. In this study, we present novel encapsulation methods employing a cost-effective hexatriacontane (C36H74, C36) organogel to stabilize sensitive organoborane reagents, including triethyl borane (TEB) and a borinane-based ammonium salt (B3NBr). These organoboranes encapsulated in stable, self-standing organogel blocks enable their safe handling in open laboratory environments without the need for a glovebox. Upon heating such borane-containing organogel blocks organoboranes could be freed from the organogel and used to mediate both the homopolymerization of propylene oxide (PO) and the copolymerization of PO with CO2. Furthermore, efficient recovery of the C36 gelator from polymerization mixtures is achieved, with mass recovery ranging from 70 % to 90 %. This encapsulation method offers a practical and efficient solution for stabilizing, storing, and handling highly reactive organoborane reagents, thereby broadening their applicability and utilization in various chemical transformations.

Light-Induced Polymeric Frustrated Radical Pairs as Building Blocks for Materials and Photocatalysts

Polymeric frustrated Lewis pairs, or poly(FLP)s, have served to bridge the gap between functional polymer science and main group catalysis, pairing the uniqueness of sterically frustrated Lewis acids and bases with a polymer scaffold to create self-healing gels and recyclable catalysts. However, their utilization in radical chemistry is unprecedented. In this paper, we disclose the synthesis of polymeric frustrated radical pairs, or poly(FRP)s, by in situ photoinduction of FLP moieties, where their Lewis acidic and basic centers are tuned to promote single electron transfer (SET). Through systematic manipulation of the chemical structure, we demonstrate that inclusion of ortho-methyl groups on phosphine monomers is crucial to enable SET. The generation of radicals is evidenced by monitoring the stable polymeric phosphine radical cations via UV/vis and EPR spectroscopy. These new poly(FRP)s enable both catalytic hydrogenation and radical-mediated photocatalytic perfluoroalkylations. These polymeric radical systems open new avenues to design novel functional polymers for catalysis and photoelectrical chemistry.

Cyclic Ether Triggers for Polymeric Frustrated Lewis Pair Gels

Sterically hindered Lewis acid and base centers are unable to form Lewis adducts, instead forming frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), where latent reactivity can be utilized for the activation of small molecules. Applying FLP chemistry into polymeric frameworks transforms this chemistry into responsive and functional materials. Here, we report a versatile synthesis strategy for the preparation of macromolecular FLPs and explore its potential with the ring-opening reactions of cyclic ethers. Addition of the cyclic substrates triggered polymer network formation, where the extent of cross-linking, strength of network, and reactivity are tuned by the steric and electronic properties of the ethers. The resultant networks behave like covalently cross-linked polymers, demonstrating the versatility of FLPs to simultaneously tune both small-molecule capture and mechanical properties of materials.

Homo- and copolymerization of norbornene using tridentate IzQO palladium catalysts with dimethylaminoethyl as a side arm

Rigid IzQO–Pd catalysts were synthesized by Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H/alkyne annulation and applied for the homo- and copolymerizations of norbornene with polar vinyl monomers.

ROMP-Boranes as Moisture-Tolerant and Recyclable Lewis Acid Organocatalysts

Although widely used in catalysis, the multistep syntheses and high loadings typically employed are limiting broader implementation of highly active tailor-made arylborane Lewis acids and Lewis pairs. Attempts at developing recyclable systems have thus far met with limited success, as general and versatile platforms are yet to be developed. We demonstrate a novel approach that is based on the excellent control and functional group tolerance of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The ROMP of highly Lewis acidic borane-functionalized phenylnorbornenes afforded both a soluble linear copolymer and a cross-linked organogel. The polymers proved highly efficient as recyclable catalysts in the reductive N-alkylation of arylamines under mild conditions and at exceptionally low catalyst loadings. The modular design presented herein can be readily adapted to other finely tuned triarylboranes, enabling wide applications of ROMP-borane polymers as well-defined supported organocatalysts.

Nickel(II) and Palladium(II) Complexes Bearing an Unsymmetrical Pyrrole-Based PNN Pincer and Their Norbornene Polymerization Behaviors versus the Symmetrical NNN and PNP Pincers

Unsymmetrical pincers have been shown to be better than the corresponding symmetrical pincers in several catalysis reactions. A new unsymmetrical PNN propincer, 2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylmethyl)-5-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyrrole (1), was synthesized from pyrrole through Mannich bases in a good yield. In addition, the new byproduct 2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylmethyl)-5-(dimethylaminomethyl)- N-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrole was also isolated. The reaction of 1 with [PdCl₂(PhCN)₂] and Et₃N in toluene yielded [PdCl{C₄H₂N-2-(CH₂Me₂pz)-5-(CH₂PPh₂)-κ³ P,N,N}] (2). The analogous reaction between 1 and [NiCl₂(DME)] or NiX₂ (X = Br, I) in the presence of NEt₃ in acetonitrile afforded [NiX{C₄H₂N-2-(CH₂Me₂pz)-5-(CH₂PPh₂)-κ³ P,N,N}] (3; X = Cl, Br, I). All complexes were structurally characterized. The norbornene polymerization behaviors of the unsymmetrical pincer complexes 2 and 3 in the presence of MMAO or EtAlCl₂ were compared with those of the symmetrical pincer complexes chloro[2,5-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylmethyl)pyrrolido]palladium(II) (NNN), chloro[2,5-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyrrolido]palladium(II), and chloro[2,5-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyrrolido]nickel(II) (PNP) at different temperatures. The PNN and NNN complexes exhibited far greater activity on the order of 10⁷ g of PNB/mol/h, with quantitative yields in some cases, in comparison to the PNP pincer palladium and nickel complexes. This trend was also supported by the ⁱPr group substituted PNP nickel and palladium pincer complexes. These polymerization behaviors are explained using steric crowding around the metal atom with the support of NMR studies and suggested that the activity increases as the N_pyrazole donor increases. Polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, TGA, and powder XRD methods.

Polymers and the p-block elements

A survey of the state-of-the-art in the development of synthetic methods to incorporate p-block elements into polymers is given. The incorporation of main group elements (groups 13-16) into long chains provides access to materials with fascinating chemical and physical properties imparted by the presence of inorganic groups. Perhaps the greatest impedance to the widespread academic and commercial use of p-block element-containing macromolecules is the synthetic challenge associated with linking inorganic elements into long chains. In recent years, creative methodologies have been developed to incorporate heteroatoms into polymeric structures, with perhaps the greatest advances occurring with hybrid organic-inorganic polymers composed of boron, silicon, phosphorus and sulfur. With these developments, materials are currently being realized that possess exciting chemical, photophysical and thermal properties that are not possible for conventional organic polymers. This review focuses on highlighting the most significant recent advances whilst giving an appropriate background for the general reader. Of particular focus will be advances made over the last two decades, with emphasis on the novel synthetic methodologies employed.

Thermo-responsive behavior of borinic acid polymers: experimental and molecular dynamics studies

The thermo-responsive properties of borinic acid polymers were investigated by experimental and molecular dynamics simulation studies. The homopolymer poly(styrylphenyl(tri-iso-propylphenyl)borinic acid) (PBA) exhibits an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in polar organic solvents that is tunable over a wide temperature range by addition of small amounts of H2O. The UCST of a 1 mg mL(-1) PBA solution in DMSO can be adjusted from 20 to 100 °C by varying the H2O content from ∼0-2.5%, in DMF from 0 to 100 °C (∼3-17% H2O content), and in THF from 0 to 60 °C (∼4-19% H2O). The UCST increases almost linearly from the freezing point of the solvent with higher freezing point to the boiling point of the solvent with the lower boiling point. The mechanistic aspects of this process were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The latter indicate rapid and strong hydrogen-bond formation between BOH moieties and H2O molecules, which serve as crosslinkers to form an insoluble network. Our results suggest that borinic acid-containing polymers are promising as new "smart" materials, which display thermo-responsive properties that are tunable over a wide temperature range.

Lewis acidity enhancement of triarylborane by appended phosphine oxide groups

A series of mono-, di-, and tri-phosphine oxide substituted triarylboranes, Mes2BAr (1), MesBAr2 (2), and BAr3 (3) (Ar = 4-(Ph2PO)-2,6-Me2-C6H2) were prepared to investigate the effect of a phosphine oxide group (Ph2PO) on Lewis acidity enhancement of triarylboranes. The X-ray crystal structure of 3 revealed peripheral decoration of Ph2PO groups with a C3-axis perpendicular to the trigonal boron center. UV/Vis absorption and PL spectra indicated a significant contribution of π(Mes or phenylene) → pπ(B) charge transfer in the lower-energy electronic transition. The reduction potential measured by cyclic voltammetry showed apparent LUMO stabilization by introduction of phosphine oxide groups, the extent of which gradually increased with the increasing number of phosphine oxide groups. Lewis acidity enhancement was also supported by the gradual increase in fluoride ion affinity in the order 3 > 2 > 1. Theoretical calculations suggest that introduction of a Ph2PO group into a triarylborane significantly enhances the Lewis acidity of the boron center via an inductive electron-withdrawing effect and this effect is additive for multiple phosphine oxide groups.

Borinic acid block copolymers: new building blocks for supramolecular assembly and sensory applications

Borinic acid functional groups were incorporated into block copolymers via RAFT polymerization and their supramolecular assembly and sensor applications were investigated.

Dip in colorimetric fluoride sensing by a chemically engineered polymeric cellulose/bPEI conjugate in the solid state

A novel heterogeneous, selective dip-in sensor for fluoride has been developed by cross-linking oxidized cellulose with branched PEI functionalized with pNO₂-phenyl urea units.

Synthesis, structures, and norbornene polymerization behavior of C(sp³), N-chelated palladacycles bearing o-aryloxide-N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Treatment of the o-hydroxyaryl imidazolium pro-ligands (2-OH-3,5-tBu2C6H2)(R)(C3H3N2)(+)Br(-) [R = Mes (1a), Ph (1b), iPr (1c), Me (1d)] with Ag2O afforded the corresponding silver complexes 2a-d. Subsequent metal-exchange reactions of 2a-d with [Pd(OAc)(8-Me-quin-H)]2 (3) yielded the desired C(sp(3)), N-chelated and o-aryloxide-NHC-ligated palladacycle complexes 4a-d in 60-80% yields. When the N-tert-butyl substituted o-hydroxyaryl imidazolium pro-ligand 1e reacted with 3 in the presence of K2CO3 in dioxane, the palladacycle complex 4e, in which the NHC adopted an abnormal binding (C4-bonding), was obtained in 20% yield. All these complexes were fully characterized using (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis results further confirmed the molecular structures of 4a-c and the abnormal binding of NHC in 4e. With methylaluminoxane (MAO) as the cocatalyst these palladacycles showed excellent catalytic activities of up to 10(7) g of PNB (mol of Pd)(-1) h(-1) in the addition polymerization of norbornene.