Hydrogen bonded aromatic hydrazide foldamers for the self-assembly of vesicles and gels

This paper describes an investigation of the structural and side-chain factors for the formation of vesicles and gels by hydrogen bonding-mediated aromatic hydrazide foldamers. Six foldamers and one straight analog that bear discrete side chains have been synthesized. SEM and AFM studies reveal that the molecules with the appended 2-(2-(dialkyl-amino)-2-oxoethylamino)-2-oxoethoxyl chains form vesicles, hydrogels or organogels, depending on the solvents. Both the inner amide units and the terminal N,N-dialkylamide units in the chains are revealed to play essential roles in controlling the self-assembly. The former facilitates it by forming the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, while the latter modulates it by providing solubility and balancing the hydrophobicity of the whole molecules in solvents of varying polarity.     

Thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(L-glutamate) esters with long alkyl chain containing aromatic segment at terminal position

Poly(L -glutamate) esters ( 3a – 3d ) with long alkyl side chains containing a mesogenic aromatic segment at the terminal position were synthesized. The superstructure of these polypeptides in solution and film were found to hold a α-helical conformation which was confirmed by CD, IR, and dichroic IR spectroscopy. The thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior was investigated by DSC, x-ray diffraction, and polarizing microscopy with hot stage. Polymers 3a and 3b , having transesterification over 60%, were assumed at least to have two liquid crystalline states. Polymer 3c-H-95 exhibited one crystalline state and two liquid crystalline states; however, 3d-H-97 did not show distinct liquid crystalline states.     

溶剂和分子结构对席夫碱分子在有机凝胶中的荧光增强和超分子手性的影响

研究了在有机胶凝剂中掺杂的席夫碱化合物的结构和性质. 实验发现, 虽然席夫碱分子单独不能在有机溶剂中形成凝胶, 当其与一种胶凝剂N,N’-双十八烷基-L-Boc-谷氨酸混合时, 它们在二甲基亚砜或甲苯中形成透明的有机凝胶. 与相应的溶液相比, 观察到在有机凝胶中的荧光增强现象, 并且这一增强与席夫碱的结构有密切关系. 在二甲基亚砜的有机凝胶中, 观察到带有长烷基链的席夫碱具有诱导手性. 表明通过凝胶的形成, 胶凝剂的手性能传递到带有长链的席夫碱上.     

X-Shaped polyphilics: liquid crystal honeycombs with single-molecule walls

X-Shaped ternary five-block molecules, composed of a rigid p-terphenyl core, two terminal glycerol groups and two flexible n-alkyl or semiperfluorinated chains fixed laterally to opposite sides of the terphenyl moiety, form liquid crystalline phases built up of honeycomb-like arrays of polygonal cylinders, where the rod-like aromatic cores form cylinder walls with a thickness equal to the width of a single molecule.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of the metabolites of Pratosartan

Three hydroxylated metabolites of 2-propyl-3-[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-cycloheptimidazol-4-one (Pratosartan), which is a selective angiotensin II receptor antagonist, were synthesized in confirmation of their structures and in studies of their pharmacological properties. An MTPA ester of the human main metabolite was identified with the synthesized compound by comparing (1)H-NMR spectra, MS spectra, and HPLC retention time. The structure of the human main metabolite was confirmed to be (S)-(-)-2-(1-hydroxypropyl)-3-[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-cycloheptimidazol-4-one ((S)-(-)-1). Also, the rat main metabolites were confirmed to be 8-hydroxylated compound (2) and 5-hydroxylated compound (3). These metabolites showed lower antagonistic activity than that of the parent compound.     

Synthesis and Self-assembling of Coumarin-based Low-molecular Weight Organogelators

Four coumarin derivatives(4a―4d) with different alkoxy chains were synthesized. It was found that compound 4d showed a better gelation ability than the other compounds, for example, it could self-assemble into organogels in various organic fluids via ultrasound treatment or heating-cooling process, whereas compound 4c could only gel in a few mixed solvents and compounds 4a, 4b could not form organogel. The results from fluorescent and FT-IR spectra indicate that π-π interaction had an effect on the formatio...     

Effect of Solvent and Molecular Structure on the Enhanced Fluorescence and Supramolecular Chirality of Schiff Bases in Organogels

The structures and properties of some Schiff base compounds doped in organogels were investigated. It was found that although individual Schiff bases could not form organogels with organic solvents, they can gel by mixing with an organogelator, N,N′-bisoctadecyl-L-Boc-glutamic-diamide, which formed transparent organogels in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or toluene (Tol). The enhancement of doping Schiff bases fluorescence in the organogel was observed in comparison with that of the corresponding solution. Furthermore, in the DMSO organogel, the induced chirality was obtained from the doping Schiff base with long alkyl chain. In contrast, the Schiff bases without long alkyl chain could not form supramolecular chiral assemblies in organogel. It was suggested that through gel formation the chirality of the gelator could be transferred to the Schiff base through hydrophobic interaction among the long alkyl chains.     

Crystallization of a Two‐Dimensional Hydrogen‐Bonded Molecular Assembly: Evolution of the Local Structure Resolved by Atomic Force Microscopy

Structures of the aromatic N‐heterocyclic hexaazatriphenylene (HAT) molecular synthon obtained by surface‐assisted self‐assembly were analyzed with sub‐Å resolution by means of noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc‐AFM), both in the kinetically trapped amorphous state and in the thermodynamically stable crystalline phase. These results reveal how the crystallization governs the length scale of the network order for non‐flexible molecular species without affecting the local bonding schemes. The capability of nc‐AFM to accurately resolve structural relaxations will be highly relevant for the characterization of vitreous two‐dimensional supramolecular materials.     

Synthesis of polyphenylene dendrimers related to "cubic graphite"

Four large, 6-fold symmetric, polyphenylene hydrocarbons have been prepared by short syntheses that chiefly employed alkyne trimerization, palladium-catalyzed coupling, and Diels-Alder reactions. The two largest of these molecules, hexakis[4'-(pentaphenylphenyl)biphenyl-4-yl]benzene (4, C(294)H(198)) and hexakis[4'-(2,3,4,5-tetraphenylphenyl)biphenyl-4-yl]benzene (5, C(258)H(174)) are substructures of "phenylogous cubic graphite", and the other two, hexakis(2',3',4',5',6'-pentaphenylbiphenyl-4-yl)benzene (26, C(258)H(174)) and hexakis(2',3',4',5'-tetraphenylbiphenyl-4-yl)benzene (25, C(222)H(150)) are strongly pitched, six-bladed molecular propellers. The X-ray crystal structure of compound 26 has also been determined; dendrimer 26 is at present the largest crystallographically characterized hydrocarbon.     

Double affinity amplification of galectin-ligand interactions through arginine-arene interactions: synthetic, thermodynamic, and computational studies with aromatic diamido thiodigalactosides

A series of aromatic mono- or diamido-thiodigalactoside derivatives were synthesized and studied as ligands for galectin-1, -3, -7, -8N terminal domain, and -9N terminal domain. The affinity determination in vitro with competitive fluorescence-polarization experiments and thermodynamic analysis by isothermal microcalorimetry provided a coherent picture of structural requirements for arginine-arene interactions in galectin-ligand binding. Computational studies were employed to explain binding preferences for the different galectins. Galectin-3 formed two almost ideal arene-arginine stacking interactions according to computer modeling and also had the highest affinity for the diamido-thiodigalactosides (K(d) below 50 nM). Site-directed mutagenesis of galectin-3 arginines involved in binding corroborated the importance of their interaction with the aromatic diamido-thiodigalactosides. Furthermore, the arginine mutants revealed distinct differences between free, flexible, and solvent-exposed arginine side chains and tightly ion-paired arginine side chains in interactions with aromatic systems.     

In situ hydrolysis of imine derivatives on Au(111) for the formation of aromatic mixed self-assembled monolayers: multitechnique analysis of this tunable surface modification

This paper presents a novel method for preparing aromatic, mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with a dilute surface fraction coverage of protonated amine via in situ hydrolysis of C═N double bond on gold surface. Two imine compounds, (4'-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzylideneamino)biphenyl-4-yl)methanethiol (CF(3)-C(6)H(4)-CH═N-C(6)H(4)-C(6)H(4)-CH(2)-SH, TFBABPMT) and (4'-(4-cyanobenzylideneamino)biphenyl-4-yl)methanethiol (CN-C(6)H(4)-CH═N-C(6)H(4)-C(6)H(4)-CH(2)-SH, CBABPMT), self-assembled on Au(111) to form highly ordered monolayers, which was demonstrated by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A nearly upright molecular orientation for CF(3)- and CN-terminated SAM was detected by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements. Afterward, the acidic catalyzed hydrolysis was carried out in chloroform or an aqueous solution of acetic acid (pH = 3). Systematic studies of this hydrolysis process for CN-terminated SAM in acetic acid at 25 °C were performed by NEXAFS measurements. It was found that about 30% of the imine double bonds gradually cleaved in the first 40 min. Subsequently, a larger hydrolysis rate was observed due to the freer penetration of acetic acid in the SAM and resultant more open molecular packing. Furthermore, the molecular orientation in mixed SAMs did not change during the whole hydrolysis process. This partially hydrolyzed surface contains a controlled amount of free amines/ammonium ions which can be used for further chemical modifications.     

Synthesis and molecular modelling of double-functionalised nucleosides with aromatic moieties in the 5'-(S)-position and minor groove interactions in DNA zipper structures

A series of six double-functionalised nucleosides, in which aromatic moieties were inserted into the 5'-(S)-C-position, were synthesised and incorporated into DNA duplexes. The aromatic moieties were thymine-1-yl, phenyl, 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl, 4-(uracil-5-yl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl and 4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl. The DNA duplexes were studied with UV melting curves, CD spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The results showed that the aromatic moieties in some cases interact in the minor groove forming DNA zipper structures. The strongest specific interaction was found between two thymines or between a thymine and a phenyl group in a crossed (-3)-zipper motif (i.e., with two base pairs interspacing the modifications). Modelling revealed that the interaction is aromatic stacking across the minor groove. Also, the extended uracil-triazole moiety demonstrated zipper contacts in the minor groove as well as binding to the floor of the groove.     

Synthesis and structural, electrochemical, and stacking properties of conical molecules possessing buckyferrocene on the apex

A series of conical molecules featuring a [60]fullerene/ferrocene hybrid and five aralkyl side chains (Fe[C60{C6H4-(OCO-C6H3-(OR)2-3,4)-4}5]Cp) have been synthesized and examined for their structural and electrochemical properties as well as their ability to form supramolecular structures in crystals and liquid crystals. When the R group on the side is a methyl group, the compound forms crystals in which the dipolar conical molecules are stacked head-to-tail to form a columnar structure. When the R group is as long as a C18H38 group, the compound forms liquid crystals. Oxidation of the liquid crystalline compound by an aminium salt [(4-BrC6H4)3N][SbCl6] produces the corresponding paramagnetic Fe(III) compound that also exhibits liquid crystalline properties.     

聚甲基丙烯酸4［（4’－烷氧酰基—1’—疏酰基苯）－1－羟乙氧基苯基］酯的合成

聚甲基丙烯酸４［（４’－烷氧酰基—１’—疏酰基苯）－１－羟乙氧基苯基］酯的合成张维邦，蒋，许家瑞，曾汉民（中山大学材料科学研究所广州５１０２７５）关键词侧链液晶高分子，含硫液晶单元液晶的合成侧链高分子液晶是高分子学科中非常活跃的研究领域“’，其特点是...     

聚甲基丙烯酸4［（4’－烷氧酰基—1’—疏酰基苯）－1－羟乙氧基苯基］酯的合成

new series of sulfur-containing side chain liquid crystalline polymerswere described. Mesomorphic side chains with different terminal groups have beensynthesized and their structures were identified by NMR, FTIR and MS. The polymers have liquid crystalline nature     

Vesicles and organogels from foldamers: a solvent-modulated self-assembling process

Nonamphiphilic, hydrogen-bonded hydrazide foldamers appended with four or six long flexible chains were revealed to spontaneously assemble to form vesicles in methanol and organogels in aliphatic hydrocarbons. SEM, AFM, TEM, DLS, and fluorescence microscopy were all used to identify the structures of the vesicles. It was proposed that intermolecular pi stacking of the folded frameworks and hydrogen bonding of the amide units in the appended chains induced the molecules to produce cylindrical aggregates. In polar methanol, these aggregates packed together to generate one-layered vesicles owing to hydrophobically induced entanglement of the peripheral chains, while in nonpolar hydrocarbons, the peripheral chains entwined across stacked cylinders to form three-dimensional networks and thus immobilize the liquid molecules.     

Spontaneous one dimensional arrangement of spherical Au nanoparticles with liquid crystal ligands

Spontaneous one dimensional arrangements of spherical Au nanoparticles were accomplished by using a liquid crystalline thiol ligand, 4'-(12-mercaptododecyloxy)biphenyl-4-carbonitrile. Simple thermal treatment of Au nanoparticles with the ligands showed 1D ordering of the Au nanoparticles.     

Self‐Assembly of a Tripod Aromatic Rod into Stacked Planar Networks

Threefold symmetric rigid‐core molecules with an internally grafted poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain were synthesized, and their self‐assembled structures were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, TEM, and 1D and 2D X‐ray scatterings in the solid state. The tripod compounds based on short PEO chains (n=8, 13, 17, 21), self‐assemble into 2D channel‐like network structures, whereas the compound with the longest PEO chain (n=34) forms a lamellar liquid crystalline phase. The interiors of the channel structures are filled with flexible PEO chains along the double‐walled aromatic circumference. In these channel‐like networks, three aromatic rods connected in the meta‐position to each other are superimposed in parallel to other adjacent molecules to form the double‐walled aromatic frameworks stacked perpendicular to the resulting channels. These are novel examples of supramolecular channel‐like structures developed using amphiphilic diblock molecules based on a threefold symmetric rigid scaffold.