A novel [5 + 1] annulation strategy is developed for the synthesis of highly substituted phenols and cyclohexenones from alpha-alkenoyl ketenedithioacetals and nitroalkanes.

Summary: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) networks were synthesized by γ‐irradiation. The crystalline behavior of PEG was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). It was shown that the crystallinity of PEG is dramatically lower in the cross‐linked networks than in pure PEG. When the molecular weight of PEG in the networks decreased to 1 000, it could not crystallize at all. Moreover, we also found that the melting temperature of PEG is greatly affected by the presence of a cross‐linked network.The DSC curves of PEG ($\overline M _{\rm w}$ = 1 500) and the corresponding cross‐linked PEG.imageThe DSC curves of PEG ($\overline M _{\rm w}$ = 1 500) and the corresponding cross‐linked PEG.

Hybrid poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)/SiO 2 monoliths were synthesized via a sol-gel process of the precursor tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and the in situ free-radical polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The weight ratio of the starting chemicals, TEOS to HEMA, was varied between 100/0 and 0/100. Structural analysis was performed by IR and NMR. The NMR results indicated that the introduction of PHEMA in the silica networks gave rise to a lower degree of condensation of TEOS. The resulting monoliths showed more than 75% transmittance in the visible region, that is, good transparency. Mechanical properties were studied with an Instron tester, and the monoliths exhibited better compressive strength and modulus than did bulk PHEMA. Surprisingly, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data showed greater than 50 wt % solid residue up to 700°C, possibly related to some degree of chemical crosslinking between the polymer and the silica moiety, which would greatly improve the thermal stability of such hybrid monoliths compared with a pure PHEMA.