Salt elimination reactions of tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl potassium (1), and two 1,4-dipotassiooligosilanes (3, 5) with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinodichloroborane and diethylaminodichlorophosphane have generated open (2), cyclic (4) and bicyclic (6) bora- and phosphaoligosilanes. A monosilylated phosphane and the two five-membered cyclosilanes have been subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

This study is aimed at investigating the microbiocidal potential of amino‐functionalized poly(norbornenes) in the solid state. A series of norbornene‐type monomers that carry secondary or tertiary amine functions as well as hexyl and dodecyl groups were prepared. Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization was used to prepare homopolymers of the amine bearing monomers and random copolymers of amine‐ and alkyl‐substituted monomers of high average molar mass. The resulting polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements, and their contact biocidal potential was evaluated according to the Japanese Industry standard Z2801. Tested microorganisms comprised Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Microbiocidal activity of selected polymer films against E. coli, S. aureus, and A. niger was found, whereas against C. albicans and P. aeruginosa microbiostatic behavior was observed. Moreover, the most potent copolymer revealed no cytotoxicity rendering a biocidal polymer with potential applications in mammalian‐, and in particular, human‐related fields. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010

The nonradiative deactivation of the excited state of europium(III)-based phosphors via OH-vibrations in the presence of water allows the detection of moisture in nitrogen at concentration levels down to at least 25 ppm (0.09% RH).

Poly(norbornenes) with pendant 2‐phenyl‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole in different ratios were prepared and their photophysical properties were studied in the presence and absence of acids. The polymers exhibited good film‐forming properties, which paved the way to study their acid/base‐sensitivity in the solid state. Polymer films with a high fluorophore content exhibited self‐absorption in their non‐protonated form and a pronounced fluorescence response in the presence of gaseous HCl. In contrast, thin films of the polymer with a low dye content showed almost no self‐absorption and only a poor response to the acidic analyte.magnified image

The functionalization of anionically polymerized isoprene with cysteamine applying the thiol‐ene reaction is reported. Antimicrobial activity is implemented by quaternization of the amino functionality by either alkylation or by protonation. The resulting polymers were tested against Gram‐positive as well as Gram‐negative bacteria strains according to the Japanese Industrial Standard Z2801:2000 protocol, partly revealing excellent biocidal performance. Thermal stability up to 200°C allows extrusion processing of the functionalized poly(isoprene)s. The best performing polymer, that is, bearing butylated ammonium‐groups, was compounded with the commodity material poly(propylene). The compound bearing 5 wt % of the biocidal polymer exhibited satisfactory biocidal properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012