Enhanced methylation rate within a foldable molecular receptor

A N,N-(dimethylamino)pyridine monomer is incorporated into the backbone of a m-phenyleneethynylene oligomer such that the pyridine nitrogen is located on the interior surface of the binding cavity in the folded structure of the oligomer. For an oligomer having a chain length of 13 monomer units, competitive inhibition experiments reveal that methyl iodide binds weakly within the oligomer cavity with an association constant K(a) = 2 M(-1), and the oligomer-methyl iodide complex reacts with unimolecular rate constant k(u) = 0.082 s(-1) to provide the methylated product. The effective molarity is calculated to be 230 M by comparison of k(u) for the 13-mer with the second-order rate constant for a 3-mer that is too short to fold and thus unable to bind methyl iodide.     

Native Mannose‐Dominant Extraction by Pyridine–Phenol Alternating Oligomers Having an Extremely Efficient Repeating Motif of Hydrogen‐Bonding Acceptors and Donors

Pyridine–phenol alternating oligomers in which pyridine and phenol moieties are alternatingly linked through acetylene bonds at the 2,6‐positions of the aromatic rings were designed and synthesized. The pyridine nitrogen atom and the neighboring phenolic hydroxyl group were oriented so that they do not form an intramolecular hydrogen bond but cooperatively act as hydrogen‐bonding acceptor and donor in a push–pull fashion for the hydroxyl group of saccharides. The longer oligomer strongly bound to lipophilic glycosides in 1,2‐dichloroethane, and association constants approached 10⁸ M ^?1. Moreover, the oligomer extracted native saccharides from a solid phase to apolar organic solvents up to the extent of an equal amount of the oligomer and showed mannose‐dominant extraction among naturally abundant hexoses. The oligomer bound to native saccharides even in 20 % DMSO‐containing 1,2‐dichloroethane and exhibited association constants of greater than 10 M ^?1 for D ‐mannose and D ‐glucose.     

Folding-promoted methylation of a helical DMAP analogue

The methylation rate for a series of pyridine-containing phenylene ethynylene oligomers shows a nonlinear dependence on chain length, with a significant rate enhancement observed for oligomers that adopt a folded, helical conformation. The folded structure provides a microenvironment that lowers the energy barrier for the methylation reaction. Of these noncovalent interactions, the largest stabilization may arise from binding of methyl iodide in the hydrophobic cavity of the folded oligomer, in close proximity to the pyridine nucleophile.     

Hybridization of Long Pyridine‐Dicarboxamide Oligomers into Multi‐Turn Double Helices: Slow Strand Association and Dissociation,Solvent Dependence,and Solid State Structures

Oligoamides of 2,6‐diaminopyridine and 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid comprised of 5, 7, 9, 11, or 13 units and bearing 4‐isobutoxychains on all pyridine rings and tert‐butyl‐carbamate terminal groups have been synthesized stepwise, along with an 11 mer having benzyl‐carbamate terminal groups. The crystal structure of all five Boc‐terminated compounds has been obtained and shows a highly regular and conserved double helical hybridization motif of up to 3 complete turns for the 13 mer. Four pyridine units span one helical turn and define a helix pitch of ca 7 Å. Solution studies in CDCl₃ demonstrated that the Boc‐terminated oligomers strongly hybridize in this solvent, and that K_dim values increase with oligomer length. The K_dim values are 31000 and 7×10⁵ L mol^?1 for the 7 mer and the 9 mer, respectively, and are too high to be measured by NMR for the 11 mer and the 13 mer. Hybridization and dissociation kinetics at 2 mM proceed at decreasing rates upon increasing oligomer length. The rate was faster than minutes for the 7 mer, of the order of hours for the 9 mer, and days for the 11 mer and 13 mer. The same trend was observed in [D₅]pyridine but with considerably lower K_dim values and faster kinetics. The benzylcarbamate 11 mer was also found to hybridize into a double helix but with reduced K_dim values and faster kinetics compared to its Boc‐terminated analogue. Combined with previous studies, the results presented here frame a global understanding of the hybridization of these pyridinecarboxamide oligomers and provide useful guidelines for the design of other artificial double helices.     

Intermolecular Charge-Transfer Luminescence by Self-Assembly of Pyridinium Luminophores in Solutions

Designing a luminophore for application both in solution and in the solid state is a highly challenging task given the distinct nature of intermolecular interactions in these phases. In this context, we demonstrate that self-assembly of non-emissive charged pyridinium luminophores enables luminescence in solutions through a mechanism that is characteristic for the crystal state. Specifically, protonation of pyridine luminophore subunits in a solution promotes oligomer formation through intermolecular π⁺-π interactions, leading to an intermolecular charge-transfer type luminescence. The luminescence turn-on by protonation is utilized for a highly efficient solution-state luminescent sensing of hydrogen chloride and sulfonic acids (TfOH, TsOH and MsOH) with detection limits spanning the range from 0.06 to 0.33 ppm. The protonation followed by self-assembly results in a bathochromic shift of the emission from 420 nm to 550 nm.     

Supramolecular chelation based on folding

Crystallographic analysis revealed that pyridine-palladium complexation is a good geometric match to the m-phenylene ethynylene (mPE) repeat unit and thus could serve as a reversible linking group to join oligomer segments together. A series of pyridine-terminated mPE oligomers were then synthesized and found to coordinate with palladium dichloride to give complexes effectively twice the length of the free oligomers. A quantitative analysis of these coordination equilibria by isothermal calorimetry found the ability of the pyridine end-group to form a coordination complex corresponded with their ability to fold. Oligomers that were able to form complexes of sufficient length to fold showed positive cooperativity based on experimental determination of their association constants with a palladium ion. We suggest that the additional free energy of complexation for the folded oligomers is analogous to chelation by multidentate ligands, but here the "multidentate ligand" is held together by supramolecular rather than covalent bonds.     

Expanding the registry of aromatic amide foldamers: folding, photochemistry and assembly using diaza-anthracene units

The synthesis of various 1,8-diaza-4,5-dialkoxy-2,7-anthracene dicarboxylic acid derivatives and their incorporation into cyclic and helically folded aromatic oligoamides are reported. The ability of the diaza-anthracene monomers to undergo photoaddition or head-to-tail photodimerization was investigated in the solid state and in solution. Quantitative conversion of a monomer diester to the corresponding head-to-tail photodimer could be achieved in the solid state without protection from oxygen. The formation of an emissive excimer between two diaza-anthracene units appended at the end of a helically folded oligomer was demonstrated. Intramolecular photodimerization was not observed in this compound, possibly due to the low thermal stability of the head-to-head photoadduct. A cyclic oligoamide composed of two diaza-anthracene and two pyridine units was shown to adopt a flat conformation and to form columnar stacks in the solid state. Longer, noncyclic oligoamides composed of one or two diaza-anthracene units were shown to adopt helical conformations that exist preferentially as double helical dimers.     

Self-assembly of coordination polymers: evidence for dynamic exchange between oligomers in solution and the isolation of a homochiral decagold(I) oligomer

Reactions of the precursor molecules [Au2(mu-BINAP)(O2CCF3)2], 1a, racemic BINAP, 1b, S-BINAP (BINAP = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl) with the easily exchanged linear bis(pyridine) ligand 1,2-trans-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bipyen) gave the polymeric complex [{Au2(mu-R-BINAP)0.5(mu-S-BINAP)0.5(mu-bipyen)}n](CF3CO2)2n, 2a, but either the polymer [{Au2(mu-S-BINAP)(mu-bipyen)}n](CF3CO2)2n, 2b, or the remarkable oligomeric [Au10(mu-S-BINAP)5(mu-bipyen)4(kappa1-bipyen)2](CF3CO2)10, 3, respectively. The type of oligomer 3 is a missing link in the ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic coordination compounds.     

Graft copolymers of para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB). I. A general method for grafting mesogenic oligo-PHB to oligomers

A method for grafting oligo-(p-hydroxybenzoic acid) to carboxyl-functional oligomers or polymers to give copolymers having mesogenic side chains was developed. The method employs dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) to promote esterification of PHB at mild temperatures and to remove water. Pyridine is used as solvent, and catalytic amounts of p-TSA are added to suppress side reactions. Grafting efficiencies are estimated to range from 74 to 90%. Ungrafted oligo-PHB and other by-products are readily removed. Structure assignments were supported by IR,¹H-NMR, GPC, DSC and model compound studies. The method appears capable of grafting oligo-PHB side chains to any pyridine soluble oligomer or polymer having carboxyl groups and no other reactive groups that could interfere.     

Encapsulation of small polar guests in molecular apple peels

Three aromatic oligoamides have been prepared that have alternating 1,6-diaminopyridine and 1,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid units at the center of the sequence and two 8-amino-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid units at each extremity. The three oligomers differ in the number--3, 5, or 7-of pyridine units in the sequence. They were designed to adopt helically folded conformations in solution and in the solid state. The sequence of monomers was chosen so that the diameter of the helix is larger in the center than at each extremity, and hence they resemble helically wrapped apple peels. According to modeling studies, the pyridine units were expected to define a polar hollow within the helix that is large enough to accommodate small polar guests, whereas the quinoline units at each end of the oligomeric sequences were expected to completely cap the hollow and transform the helix cavities into a closed shell that may act as a capsule. Crystallographic studies demonstrate that the oligomers do fold into helices that define a cavity isolated from the surrounding medium in the solid state. Depending on the number of pyridine rings, one or two water molecules are bound within the capsules. The crystal structure of a capsule fragment shows that MeOH can also be hosted by the largest oligomer. Solution NMR studies confirm that binding of water also occurs in solution with the same stoichiometry as observed in the solid state. The capsules have distinct signals depending on whether they are empty, half-full, or full, and these species are in slow exchange on the NMR timescale at low temperature. Indeed, the binding and release of water molecules requires a significant conformational distortion of the helix that slows down these processes. The addition of small polar molecules such as methanol, hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, or formic acid to the largest capsule leads to the observation of new sets of NMR signals of the capsules that were assigned to complexes with these guests. However, water appears to be the preferred guest.     

苯丙炔酸低聚物的合成及性能

极性-共轭双取代乙炔-苯丙炔酸在Pd(PPh3)2Cl2催化下直接通过易位催化机理聚合为低聚物.单体苯丙炔酸由两步制得,先通过液溴和肉桂酸的加成反应得到二溴代苯丙酸,然后消去两分子溴化氢得到单体.通过红外光谱(IR)、核磁共振(NMR)对单体及低聚物的结构进行了表征.凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)结果显示,聚合反应以甲苯作溶剂,75℃下效果最好,产率中等.这种共轭低聚物可以溶于四氢呋喃(THF)等极性溶剂,TGA结果表明低聚物热稳定性高.紫外可见吸收光谱(UV-Vis)显示,由于聚合后共轭主链大大增长,苯丙炔酸低聚物骨架上电子的跃迁使得低聚物的四氢呋喃溶液在波长高于310 nm光谱的区域中有吸收.荧光光谱(FS)显示,低聚物的四氢呋喃溶液在342 nm激发光下发蓝光,420 nm处有特征荧光发射峰.     

Preparation and applications of a variety of fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomer/hydroxyapatite composites

A variety of fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers were applied to the preparation of fluorinated oligomer/hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites (particle size: 38-356 nm), which exhibit a good dispersibility in water and traditional organic solvents. These fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomer/HAp composites were easily prepared by the reactions of disodium hydrogen phosphate and calcium chloride in the presence of self-assembled molecular aggregates formed by fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers in aqueous solutions. In these fluorinated HAp composites thus obtained, fluoroalkyl end-capped acrylic acid oligomers and 2-methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomer/HAp nanocomposites afforded transparent colorless solutions toward water; however, fluoroalkyl end-capped N,N-dimethylacrylamide oligomer and acryloylmorpholine oligomer were found to afford transparent colorless solutions with trace amounts of white-colored HAp precipitants under similar conditions. HAp could be encapsulated more effectively into fluorinated 2-methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomeric aggregate cores to afford colloidal stable fluorinated oligomer/HAp composites, compared to that of fluorinated acrylic acid oligomers. These fluorinated oligomer/HAp composites were applied to the surface modification of glass and PVA to exhibit a good oleophobicity imparted by fluorine. HAp formation was newly observed on the modified polyethylene terephthalate film surface treated with fluorinated 2-methacryloyloxyethanesulfonic acid oligomers and acrylic acid oligomer/HAp composites by soaking these films into the simulated body fluid.     

A New Antimicrobial Agent: Poly (3‐hydroxybutyric acid) Oligomer

In this work, it is first reported that the poly (3‐hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) oligomer with a few degrees of polymerization possesses effective antibacterial and antifungal properties. Two preparation methods for the PHB oligomer are described, namely, one‐step ring‐opening polymerization of β‐butyrolactone and extraction from the fermented PHB polymer. An appropriate amount of the synthesized PHB oligomer shows no physiological toxicity to the skin and major organs of mice. Topological application of the synthesized PHB oligomer imparts antimicrobial ability to non‐antibacterial fabrics with washing resistance. The synthesized PHB oligomer offers effective sterilization and promotes wound healing in infected nude mice. Most importantly, the PHB oligomer is also reactive to drug‐resistant bacteria. These results suggest that the PHB oligomer is not only a great candidate for antimicrobial modification but also a promising one for biomedical applications. Finally, the antimicrobial mechanisms of the PHB oligomer are revealed, and these include disruption of biofilm and the bacterial wall/membrane, leakage of the intracellular content, inhibition of protein activity, and change in the transmembrane potential.     

An Attempt at the Preparation of Macrocyclic Polymer

Syntheses of cyclic oligomer and polymer were attempted with magnesiacyclohexane as the initiator in HMPA. The oligomer of α-methylstyrene, initiated by magnesiacyclohexane, was treated with dimethyldichlorosilane in order to obtain a stable cyclic oligomer. The products were investigated by GPC, IR, NMR, and elemental analysis. It was found that magnesia-cyclohexane could not be activated enough by HMPA, and that the magnesium-carbon bond was not stable in HMPA, and that the chain transfer reaction might occur repeatedly during the polymerization. Consequently, the yield of cyclic oligomer was so low that cyclic compounds could not be discriminated from the linear oligomer.     

Investigation of the Properties of Modified Phenol-Formaldehyde Oligomer Using IR Spectroscopy

The modification of phenol-formaldehyde oligomer with Resydrol alkyd oligomer has been proposed for the production of adhesive-bonded wood materials. The chemical processes that occur in the modified binder have been determined using IR spectroscopy. A model of chemical interaction of phenol-formaldehyde oligomer with Resydrol alkyd oligomer has been presented.     

一种星型有机低聚物的合成及光电性能

通过多步反应合成了一种新型的具有“双极(bipolar)”性质和发光性能的以N原子为中心的星型有机小分子低聚物——三(4-(5-(4-(5-(4-(二苯胺基)苯基)-1,3,4-噁二唑-2)苯基)-1,3,4-噁二唑-2)苯基)胺. 用¹H NMR, MS和元素分析进行了表征, 研究了化合物的热稳定性和固体粉末的光致发光性质, 并用循环伏安法测定了其电化学性能. 结果表明, 这种合成的同时具备空穴传导和电子输入双重功能基团的星型有机小分子光致发光性能优良(量子效率92%), 热稳定性好, 可以作为制作有机电致发光器件的候选材料.     

Lipase‐Catalyzed Transformation of Unnatural‐Type Poly(3‐hydroxybutanoate) into Reactive Cyclic Oligomer

Unnatural‐type syndiotactic and atactic poly[(R,S)‐3‐hydroxybutanoate]s [P(3HB)s] were enzymatically transformed into a reactive cyclic 3HB oligomer of molecular weight ca. 500 in an organic solvent, such as toluene, using immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica at 40°C for 24 h. It was confirmed that similar results were obtained for both syndiotactic and atactic P(3HB)s. On the other hand, the acidic degradation of these polymers using a protonic acid, such as p‐toluenesulfonic acid, exclusively produced the linear 3HB oligomer instead of the cyclic oligomer. The formation of the cyclic oligomer was regarded as the characteristic feature of the lipase‐catalyzed degradation in organic media. The cyclic oligomer obtained readily reacted with alcohol as a nucleophile, and using lipase, to produce the alkyl ester of the 3HB oligomer.     

Supramolecular substitution reactions between hydrazide-based molecular duplex strands: complexation induced nonsymmetry and dynamic behavior

Supramolecular substitution reactions between hydrazide-based oligomers 1a- c and 2a- c were systematically investigated. Each oligomer existed as hydrogen-bonding mediated molecular duplex strands or a polymeric zipper structure in apolar solvents. But when another oligomer with complementary hydrogen bonding sites was added, a heterodimer structure formed due to supramolecular substitution reaction driven by the formation of more hydrogen bonds, which was evidenced by NMR experiments, sometimes gel-sol transition. When a nonsymmetric oligomer and a symmetric oligomer were involved, complexation-induced nonsymmetry was observed. When two nonsymmetric oligomers were involved, two hydrogen-bonded isomers were observed in solution. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments further revealed unique dynamic behavior for the individual oligomer and the complexes. When diacetyl-terminated oligomer 1c was involved, slides perpendicular to hydrogen bonds between two constituent molecules were observed, which led to complicated (1)H NMR spectra at lower temperature; otherwise, high selectivity was obtained. Combined with the results we reported previously, a detailed picture of the structure-property relationship for our hydrazide-based oligomers was depicted, which would provide guidelines for the design of hydrazide-based fine-tuning functional materials.     

A conjoined thienopyrrole oligomer formed by using DNA as a molecular guide

A thienopyrrole oligomer conjoined to DNA was prepared by means of a templated synthesis protocol. The oligomer was formed by reaction, initiated with HRP/H2O2, of thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole monomers attached to cytosine bases. The thienopyrrole oligomer was characterized spectroscopically.     

Hydrogen bond-stabilized helix formation of a m-phenylene ethynylene oligomer

[reaction: see text] Incorporation of a single hydrogen bonded beta-turn mimic in the backbone of a m-phenylene ethynylene oligomer is shown to affect the thermodynamic properties of the folding reaction. Oligomers 1 and 2 both undergo solvophobic helix formation, but hydrogen bonded oligomer 1 was found to form a more stable helix with a higher tolerance to solvent denaturation than isomeric, non-hydrogen bonded oligomer 2.