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Metallacyclopentadienes have attracted much attention as building blocks for synthetic chemistry as well as key intermediates in many metal-mediated or metal-catalyzed reactions. However, metallacyclopentadienes of the alkaline-earth metals have not been reported, to say nothing of their structures, reaction chemistry, and synthetic applications. In this work, the first series of magnesiacyclopentadienes, spiro-dilithio magnesiacyclopentadienes, and dimagnesiabutadiene were synthesized from 1,4-dilithio 1,3-butadienes. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of these magnesiacycles revealed unique structural characteristics and bonding modes. Their reaction chemistry and synthetic application were preliminarily studied and efficient access to amino cyclopentadienes was established through their reaction with thioformamides. Experimental and DFT calculations demonstrated that these magnesiacyclopentadienes could be regarded as bis(Grignard) reagents wherein the two Mg-C(sp(2)) bonds have a synergetic effect when reacting with substrates.

Reductive cyclization of 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-methoxycarbonylmethylenebenzofuran-2(3H)-one (4) gave 5-hydroxy-3a-methyl-2,3,3a,8a-tatrahydrofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran (5) and the rearrangement product 7-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-2,5-methano-1,3-benzodioxepine (6). Reaction of compounds 5 and 6 with different isocyanates provided two series novel carbamates (7-12) whose structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. These were assessed for anticholinesterase action against freshly prepared human enzyme and proved to be potent inhibitors of either acetyl- (AChE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with specific compounds exhibiting remarkable selectivity. Because the two series of carbamates (7-12) differ in their phenolic moieties, their respective potency and selectivity for AChE versus BChE was governed by their N-substituted groups. This same characteristic was also present in a series of physovenine analogues (1, 13, 15, 17) and physostigmine analogues (2, 14, 16, 18). These structure-activity relations proved valuable in elucidating the mechanisms underpinning the interaction between carbamate-based cholinesterase inhibitors and their enzyme target. In addition, because physostigmine analogues have demonstrated activity in lowering the Alzheimer's disease protein, amyloid precursor protein (APP), examples of the two new series of carbamates were characterized in culture assays of quantifying cell viability and synthesis of APP.

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Low-density polyimide (PI)/clay aerogel composites were produced by freeze-drying of a poly(amic acid) ammonium salt/clay precursor suspension, followed by a multistep temperature-programmed imidization. The densities of the resulting aerogel composites were in the range of 0.04–0.09 g·cm–3. With the increase of PI content, a more perfect “layer–strut” bracing structure was exhibited in the composites, which resulted in vastly improved mechanical properties. Polyimide did not intercalate the interlayer of clay, and the onset decomposition temperatures (T d) of the aerogels were more than 410 °C. The obtained PI/clay aerogel composites show considerable promise in structural and high-temperature insulation applications.