Search

A synthesized thiol-functionalized non-ionic surfactant based on the IGEPAL® (polyoxyethylene(5) nonyl phenyl ether) structure, has been used to replace citrate ions from the surface of gold nanoparticles with 13.5 nm diameters. Upon IGEPAL®-type stabilization in water, the nanoparticles were transferred to ethanol, where a layer of silica was efficiently grown on the nanocrystal surface through the conventional Stöber approach. This method allows fine control over the silica thickness, showing uniform and homogeneous core-shell nanoparticles. Additionally, the luminescent properties of the IGEPAL® surfactant allow the versatile preparation of robust fluorescent nanoparticles with multiplexing potential as simultaneous plasmonic and fluorescence probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient electron delocalization by aromatic homoconjugated 7,7-diphenylnorbornane (DPN) in alternated homoconjugated-conjugated block copolymers and reference compounds is revealed by photophysical and electrochemical measurements. The synthesis of the polymers was achieved by Suzuki polycondensation reaction. Effective electron delocalization by DPN is demonstrated by the significant red shifts observed in the absorption and emission spectra and the variation of the energy band gap of the polymers and monomeric model compounds in comparison to a series of oligophenylenes used as references (p-quaterphenyl, p-terphenyl, and biphenyl). The electron delocalization is also clearly demonstrated by the lower oxidation potential measured for homoconjugated model compound in comparison to p-terphenyl. The results show that the electron delocalization caused by two homoconjugated aryl rings is comparable to the effect produced by one conjugated aryl ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

7',7'-Dimethylspiro[cyclopropane-1,2'-norbornan]-1'-yl triflate (9) was obtained and its solvolysis rates in buffered 60% aqueous ethanol were determined at different temperatures. The solvolytic behavior of 9 and other bridgehead derivatives (13-17, see Table 1) was studied by force-field, semiempirical and ab initio [B3LYP/6-31g(d)] methods. Cation 9(+) is a slightly pyramidal cyclopropylcarbinyl cation in a nearly perpendicular conformation, showing an sp(2)-like hybridization. Its high electron demand provokes an enhancement of the sigma-participation of the C(5)-C(6) and C(4)-C(7) bonds. The introduction of a cyclopropyl group adjacent to the bridgehead cation leads to an increase of the strain energy. This fact has two opposite effects on the solvolysis rate: (a) the strain energy hinders the flattening of the cation and, hence, originates a rate depression, and (b) the strained C-C bonds are prone to stabilize the cation at C(1) by sigma-delocalization, which provokes a rise of the solvolysis rate. Both effects are accounted for only by the B3LYP/6-31g method. The claimed electron-withdrawal effect of the cyclopropyl group as a basis for the small k(17)/k(16) rate ratio is not confirmed by our calculations.