RESUMEN

We present a complete analysis of the structure of polyethylene (PE) nanoparticles synthesized and stabilized in water under very mild conditions (15 degrees C, 40 atm) by a nickel-catalyzed polymerization in aqueous solution. Combining cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) with X-ray scattering, we demonstrate that this new synthetic route leads to a stable dispersion of individual PE nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. Most of the semicrystalline particles have a hexagonal shape (lateral size 25 nm, thickness 9 nm) and exhibit the habit of a truncated lozenge. The combination of cryo-TEM and small-angle X-ray scattering demonstrates that the particles consist of a single crystalline lamella sandwiched between two thin amorphous polymer layers ("nanohamburgers"). Hence, these nanocrystals that comprise only ca. 14 chains present the smallest single crystals of PE ever reported. The very small thickness of the crystalline lamella (6.3 nm) is related to the extreme undercooling (more than 100 degrees C) that is due to the low temperature at which the polymerization takes place. This strong undercooling cannot be achieved by any other method so far. Dispersions of polyethylene nanocrystals may have a high potential for a further understanding of polymer crystallization as well as for materials science as, e.g., for the fabrication of extremely thin crystalline layers.

Asunto(s)

Nanopartículas/química , Polietileno/química , Polietileno/síntesis química , Microscopía por Crioelectrón , Microscopía Electrónica de Transmisión , Nanopartículas/ultraestructura , Dispersión del Ángulo Pequeño , Difracción de Rayos X

RESUMEN

Reactions of NH-enaminones 2 with [2-(1-cycloalkenyl)ethynyl]carbene complexes 7 (M=W, Cr) gave tetrahydropentalenes, tetrahydroindenes, and hexahydroazulenes 8a-i, in which the NH-enaminone moiety is attached to the cyclopentadiene unit. The reaction involved formation of (3E)-1-metalla-1,3,5-hexatriene intermediates, which underwent pi cyclization faster than 3E/3Z isomerization. Tungsten complexes 12 and 13 were characterized as reaction intermediates. Compounds 8 are potentially bidentate ligands with respect to coordination both of the cyclopentadienyl and the enaminone moieties.