A series of 6,6-dicyanofulvene derivatives are synthesized starting from masked, dimeric, or monomeric cyclopentadienones. The reactivities of 6,6-dicyanofulvenes relative to their parent cyclopentadienones are discussed. 6,6-Dicyanofulvenes are capable of undergoing two consecutive, reversible, one-electron reductions and are presented as potential n-type small molecules.

We detail our efforts toward the selective detection of cyclic ketones, e.g. cyclohexanone, a component of plasticized explosives. Thin films comprised of a conjugated polymer are used to amplify the emission of an emissive receptor via energy transfer. We propose that the energy transfer is dominated by an electron-exchange mechanism to an upper excited state of the fluorophore followed by relaxation and emission to account for the efficient energy transfer in the absence of appreciable spectral overlap. Exposure to cyclic ketones results in a ratiometric fluorescence response. The thin films show orthogonal responses when exposed to cyclic ketones versus acyclic ketones. We demonstrate that the exquisite selectivity is the result of a subtle balance between receptor design and the partition coefficient of molecules into the polymer matrix.

No abstract

ABSTRACT. Partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) was covalently functionalized with an diazonium containing, imidazolium based, polyzwitterionic polymer to afford a composite material with excellent dispersibility and long-term stability in high salinity brines including standard API and Arab-D found in deep oil reservoirs. When heated at 90 °C, the dispersions remained stable in excess of 140 days. These results suggest the utility of imidazolium-based polymers for brine stabilization as well as the use of diazonium containing polymers for a 'grafting-to' approach to nanocarbon functionalization.