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  • Linear and crosslinked copolymers of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives and styrene: new synthetic approaches to polymer-bound calix[4]arenes
    Publication . Mendes, Ana R.; Gregório, Carla C.; Barata, Patrícia; Costa, Alexandra I.; Prata, José V.
    As an extension of our previous studies concerning the free radical copolymerisation of 25,26,27-tripropoxy-28-(4-vinyl-benzyloxy)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (3) with styrylic monomers, we report herein on the synthesis and characterisation of new terpolymers derived from 3, styrene and divinylbenzene, having nominal crosslinking degrees ranging from 4% to 40% wt. The terpolymers exhibited good thermal stabilities (DSC) and were prepared in good yields. Depending on the reaction conditions (dilution degree and aqueous phase to porogen ratio), materials with identical nominal crosslinking but otherwise differentiated morphologies and swelling abilities were obtained. In a related study, the radical polymerisation of styrene was carried out in the presence of a novel calix[4]arene derivative 4, bearing two distal benzyl–vinyl groups in the lower rim. It is shown that, albeit the presence of two phenolic groups within the calixarene moiety which could have functioned as inhibitors of the free radical polymerisation, the macrocycle was able to take part in the copolymerisation reaction, yielding new soluble and crosslinked polymers. In both cases, no pendant vinyl groups were found in the polymeric materials. The probable mechanisms underlying their formation are discussed.
  • New entities for sensory chemistry based on calix[4]arene-carbazole conjugates: from synthesis to applications
    Publication . Barata, Patrícia; Prata, José Virgílio
    Two new calix[4]arene-carbazole conjugates (CALIX-CBZs) comprising 2- and 3-ethynyl-substituted carbazole derivatives attached to a central bis-calix[4]arene-containing phenylene ring have been designed for fluorescence-based detection of high explosive materials and explosive markers in vapour phase. The title compounds were prepared in good isolated yields and structurally fully characterised. CALIX-CBZs are highly fluorescent compounds that largely preserve their deep blue luminescence in solid state with no notorious emissions from electronic aggregated states. The excellent optical properties exhibited by casted films of both materials, including their photochemical stability, suggested their potential use as solidstate sensors. Remarkable high and fast responses were in fact retrieved upon contact with saturated vapours of 2,4,6trinitrotoluene (TNT, a high explosive) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (a common impurity in TNT batches, often used as its chemical marker), reaching near 80% of fluorescence quenching for the later on 30s of exposure. Experiments performed with nitroaliphatic compounds (nitromethane (NM), a liquid explosive and 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane, an explosive taggant) also revealed a high level of sensitivity (up to near 40% fluorescence quenching in only 10s of exposure to NM). The quenching efficiencies were overall correlated with the extent and strength of CALIX-CBZs–analyte interactions, the vapour pressure of the analytes and the film thicknesses.
  • The synthesis of novel polymer-bound calix[4]arenes
    Publication . Barata, Patrícia; Costa, Alexandra I.; Granja, Paulo; Prata, José V.
    Two simple and efficient procedures for the synthesis of linear and cross-linked polymers containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic lower rim derivatives of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes are described. The target polymers were prepared either through the direct attachment of 25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1), or its tripropoxy (2) and tetracarboxymethoxy (4) derivatives, to light cross-linked Merrifield's resins (1–2% DVB) or via radical addition copolymerisation of 25,26,27-tripropoxy-28-(4-vinyl-benzyloxy)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (11) with styrene and a cross-linking agent.
  • Comparative study of the copolymerization kinetics of mono and divinylbenzyl p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives and styrene
    Publication . Costa, Alexandra I.; Barata, Patrícia; Prata, José V.
    A study of the copolymerization kinetics of 25,27-bis(4-vinyl-benzyloxy)-26,28-dihydroxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1) and 25,26,27-tripropoxy-28-(4-vinyl-benzyloxy)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (2) with styrene (St) was undertaken. The radical copolymerizations were carried outin THF in thepresence ofbenzoyl peroxideat 758C for a certain period. Six molar feed ratios, ranging from 1:1 to 1:20 (1 or 2 to St), were used to calculate the reactivity parameters. The copolymer composition was determined by FT-IR spectroscopy using a Beer’s law plot obtained from the corresponding homopolymers. The reactivity ratio calculations were performed with the linearization methods of Fineman-Ross (F-R) and Kelen-Tu ¨do ¨s (K-T), assuming the validity of the so-called terminal model. In the copolymerization of the monoene 2, similar reactivity ratios were found for the comonomers (ca. 1.2; K-T). On the other hand, the reactivity ratios calculated for the copolymerization of 1 with St yielded rSt 5 0.67 and rcalix 5 3.0 (K-T method). The higher reactivity of monomer 1 as compared to styrene is discussed in connection with our previously postulated cyclocopolymerization route.
  • Radical cyclopolymerization of a divinylbenzyl-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivative
    Publication . Costa, Alexandra I.; Barata, Patrícia; Prata, José V.
    The synthesis and characterization of a new homopolymer (poly 1), obtained in the course of the radical polymerization of 25,27-bis-(4-vinyl-benzyloxy)-26,28-dihydroxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1), is described. Homopolymerization of 1 in THF, using BPO or thermal initiation, afforded soluble polymers in good isolated yields (60–90%). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) profiles showed unimodal distributions for all the analyzed polymers, which is indicative that chain branching reactions did not occur to a major extent. Molecular weights (Mn) ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 g mol−1 were reached within a 8 h period, when the reactions were conducted at 0.06–0.5 mol% of BPO or thermally initiated, showing relatively narrow polydispersity indexes (1.5–2.0). The structure of the polymers was deduced upon analysis of their 1H NMR and FT-IR spectra, which, in conjunction with GPC and solubility data led to their formulation as cyclopolymers.