Main‐chain viologen polymers with triflimide counterion exhibiting lyotropic liquid‐crystalline properties in polar organic solvents

The solution‐phase behavior of three main‐chain viologen polymers, which are composed of isomeric xylyl units and triflimide as a counterion, was studied in methanol, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, and dimethyl sulfoxide as solvents microscopically under crossed polarizers. Each of them exhibited a lyotropic lamellar phase in both polar protic and aprotic solvents. Their C^* for the formation of biphasic solutions (1–5 wt %) and concentrations (20–30 wt %) for the lyotropic solutions in methanol was much lower than those in polar aprotic solvents (20–71 and 60–81 wt %, respectively). Their high solubility, high C^* for the formation of biphasic solutions, and high concentrations for the formation of lyotropic solutions in polar aprotic solvents were related to the significant reduction of strong ionic interactions between triflimide and 4,4′‐bipyridinium ions in each of these viologen polymers. They were the first examples of viologen polymers that exhibited a lyotropic phase in polar aprotic solvents. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2015–2024, 2002     

Insight into the strong aggregation-induced emission of low-conjugated racemic C6-unsubstituted tetrahydropyrimidines through crystal-structure–property relationship of polymorphs

Racemic C6-unsubstituted tetrahydropyrimidines (THPs) are a series of fluorophores with a strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. However, they do not possess the structural features of conventional AIE compounds. In order to understand their AIE mechanism, here, the influences of the molecular packing mode and the conformation on the optical properties of THPs were investigated using seven crystalline polymorphs of three THPs (1–3). The racemic THPs 1–3 have low-conjugated and highly flexible molecular structures, and hence show practically no emission in different organic solvents. However, the fluorescence quantum yields of their polymorphs are up to 93%, and the maximum excitation (λ _ex) and emission (λ _em) wavelengths of the polymorphs are long at 409 and 484 nm, respectively. Single-crystal structures and theoretical calculation of the HOMOs and LUMOs based on the molecular conformations of these polymorphs indicate that the polymorphs with the shortest λ _ex and λ _em values possess a RS-packing mode (R- and S-enantiomers self-assemble as paired anti-parallel lines) and a more twisted conformation without through-space conjugation between the dicarboxylates, but the polymorphs with longer λ _ex and λ _em values adopt a RR/SS-packing mode (R- and S-enantiomers self-assemble as unpaired zigzag lines) and a less twisted conformation with through-space conjugation between the dicarboxylates. The molecular conformations of 1–3 in all these polymorphs are stereo and more twisted than those in solution. Although 1–3 are poorly conjugated, the radiative rate constants (k _r) of their polymorphs are as large as conventional fluorophores (0.41–1.03 × 10⁸ s^–1) because of improved electronic conjugation by both through-bond and through-space interactions. Based on the obtained results, it can be deduced that the strong AIE arises not only from the restriction of intramolecular motion but also from enhanced electronic coupling and radiatively-favored inter-crossed local excitation (LE) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) excitation states. The abnormal molecular structures, easily-controllable self-assembly of the R- and S-enantiomers, and the strong AIE effect make THPs very useful fluorophores for applications and theoretical research.     

Donor–acceptor–acceptor-type near-infrared fluorophores that contain dithienophosphole oxide and boryl groups: effect of the boryl group on the nonradiative decay

The use of donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) skeletons is an effective strategy for the design of fluorophores with red-shifted emission. In particular, the use of amino and boryl moieties as the electron-donating and -accepting groups, respectively, can produce dyes that exhibit high fluorescence and solvatochromism. Herein, we introduce a dithienophosphole P-oxide scaffold as an acceptor–spacer to produce a boryl- and amino-substituted donor–acceptor–acceptor (D–A–A) π-system. The thus obtained fluorophores exhibit emission in the near-infrared (NIR) region, while maintaining high fluorescence quantum yields even in polar solvents (e.g. λ_em = 704 nm and Φ_F = 0.69 in CH₃CN). A comparison of these compounds with their formyl- or cyano-substituted counterparts demonstrated the importance of the boryl group for generating intense emission. The differences among these electron-accepting substituents were examined in detail using theoretical calculations, which revealed the crucial role of the boryl group in lowering the nonradiative decay rate constant by decreasing the non-adiabatic coupling in the internal conversion process. The D–A–A framework was further fine-tuned to improve the photostability. One of these D–A–A dyes was successfully used in bioimaging to visualize the blood vessels of Japanese medaka larvae and mouse brain.

Combination of electron-accepting diarylboryl terminal groups and dithienophosphole oxide spacers with electron-donating triarylamine moieties produces donor–acceptor–acceptor type π-systems, which exhibit emissions in the near-infrared region.     

Quantum-chemical calculations of NMR chemical shifts of organic molecules: VIII. Solvation effects on 15N NMR chemical shifts of nitrogen-containing heterocycles

Effect of solvation on the accuracy of DFT quantum-chemical calculations of ¹⁵N NMR chemical shifts of pyrrole, N-methylpyrrole, and pyridine was studied. The use of continuum model is sufficient to obtain consistent theoretical σ_N values for weakly polar aprotic solvents, whereas solvation effects in strongly polar and protic solvents should be taken into account in the explicit form.     

New 3-Ethynylaryl Coumarin-Based Dyes for DSSC Applications: Synthesis,Spectroscopic Properties,and Theoretical Calculations

A set of 3-ethynylaryl coumarin dyes with mono, bithiophenes and the fused variant, thieno [3,2-b] thiophene, as well as an alkylated benzotriazole unit were prepared and tested for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For comparison purposes, the variation of the substitution pattern at the coumarin unit was analyzed with the natural product 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin (Esculetin) as well as 5,7-dihydroxycomarin in the case of the bithiophene dye. Crucial steps for extension of the conjugated system involved Sonogashira reaction yielding highly fluorescent molecules. Spectroscopic characterization showed that the extension of conjugation via the alkynyl bridge resulted in a strong red-shift of absorption and emission spectra (in solution) of approximately 73–79 nm and 52–89 nm, respectively, relative to 6,7-dimethoxy-4-methylcoumarin (λ_abs = 341 nm and λ_em = 410 nm). Theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) is mostly centered in the cyanoacrylic anchor unit, corroborating the high intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character of the electronic transition. Photovoltaic performance evaluation reveals that the thieno [3,2-b] thiophene unit present in dye 8 leads to the best sensitizer of the set, with a conversion efficiency (η = 2.00%), best V_OC (367 mV) and second best J_sc (9.28 mA·cm⁻²), surpassed only by dye 9b (J_sc = 10.19 mA·cm⁻²). This high photocurrent value can be attributed to increased donor ability of the 5,7-dimethoxy unit when compared to the 6,7 equivalent (9b).     

Photophysical Study and Biological Applications of Synthetic Chalcone-Based Fluorescent Dyes

A chalcone series (3a–f) with electron push–pull effect was synthesized via a one-pot Claisen–Schmidt reaction with a simple purification step. The compounds exhibited strong emission, peaking around 512–567 nm with mega-stokes shift (∆λ = 93–139 nm) in polar solvents (DMSO, MeOH, and PBS) and showed good photo-stability. Therefore, 3a–f were applied in cellular imaging. After 3 h of incubation, green fluorescence was clearly brighter in cancer cells (HepG2) compared to normal cells (HEK-293), suggesting preferential accumulation in cancer cells. Moreover, all compounds exhibited higher cytotoxicity within 24 h toward cancer cells (IC₅₀ values ranging from 45 to 100 μM) than normal cells (IC₅₀ value >100 μM). Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of chalcones 3a–f were investigated. Interestingly, 3a–f exhibited antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 0.10–0.60 mg/mL (375–1000 µM), suggesting their potential antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, this series of chalcone-derived fluorescent dyes with facile synthesis shows great potential for the development of antibiotics and cancer cell staining agents.     

Wide bandgap OPV polymers based on pyridinonedithiophene unit with efficiency >5%

We report the properties of a new series of wide band gap photovoltaic polymers based on the N-alkyl 2-pyridone dithiophene (PDT) unit. These polymers are effective bulk heterojunction solar cell materials when blended with phenyl-C₇₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM). They achieve power conversion efficiencies (up to 5.33%) high for polymers having such large bandgaps, ca. 2.0 eV (optical) and 2.5 eV (electrochemical). Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) reveals strong correlations between π–π stacking distance and regularity, polymer backbone planarity, optical absorption maximum energy, and photovoltaic efficiency.     

Broadband fluorescence reveals mechanistic differences in excited-state proton transfer to protic and aprotic solvents

Excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) to solvent is often explained according to the two-step Eigen–Weller model including a contact ion pair (CIP*) as an intermediate, but general applicability of the model has not been thoroughly examined. Furthermore, examples of the spectral identification of CIP* are scarce. Here, we report on a detailed investigation of ESPT to protic (H₂O, D₂O, MeOH and EtOH) and aprotic (DMSO) solvents utilizing a broadband fluorescence technique with sub-200 fs time resolution. The time-resolved spectra are decomposed into contributions from the protonated and deprotonated species and a clear signature of CIP* is identified in DMSO and MeOH. Interestingly, the CIP* intermediate is not observable in aqueous environment although the dynamics in all solvents are multi-exponential. Global analysis based on the Eigen–Weller model is satisfactory in all solvents, but the marked mechanistic differences between aqueous and organic solvents cast doubt on the physical validity of the rate constants obtained.

Time-resolved broadband fluorescence facilitates direct observation of reaction intermediates in excited-state proton transfer to solvent in protic and aprotic solvents.     

Regioselective N- and C2-electrophilic substitution of 3-substituted indoles

The reaction of 3-substituted indoles with 2-cyclohexenone under Lewis acid mediated conditions with Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O has been investigated. We have demonstrated that electrophilic substitution of 3-substituted indoles with 2-cyclohexenone will readily occur at the nitrogen. Furthermore, the extent of regioselectivity is dependent on reaction solvent and the C3-substituent. Excellent conversion is obtained with good to excellent isolated yields of N- and C2-adducts. In general, more polar, aprotic solvents (CH₃CN) give greater N-selectivity whereas with polar protic solvents (CH₃OH) an increase in the C2-adduct is observed.     

Phenoxasilin-containing polyamides and polyesters

Silicon-containing polyamides and polyesters of a new type have been synthesized. They contain phenoxasilin rings with double-stranded structure. The polymers were synthesized by the interfacial polycondensation of 2,8-dichloroformyl-10,10-diphenylphenoxasilin with diamines and bisphenols, and were obtained in nearly quantitative yields. Their reduced viscosities were in the range of 0.53–1.47 dl g^?1 m dimethylformamide (DMF), m-cresol or chloroform. Some of the polyamides were soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as DMF and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and the polyesters had good solubility in chloroform, phenol-sym tetrachloroethane (60:40 by wt %) and acidic solvents (m-cresol and nitrobenzene). The polymers hardly dissolved in cone. H₂SO₄ and some of them coloured in it. Only the polyester having sulphide bonds was soluble in benzene in addition to the above organic solvents. These polymers hardly degraded below 400° except for the polyamides derived from aliphatic diamines. The polymers from aliphatic diamines melted at 290–325°; the other polyamides and the polyesters decomposed without melting.     

Three-membered cyclic digermylenes stabilised by an N-heterocyclic carbene

Treatment of potassium salts of silole dianions with donor stabilised germanium dichlorides gave the anticipated silagermafulvenylidenes R₂Si = Ge(Do) (R₂Si = 1-silacyclopentadiendiyl, Do = N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)) only as transient intermediates in a side reaction. They were detected by NMR spectroscopy and, in one case, the formal dimer, 2,4-disila-1λ³,3λ³-digermetane, was isolated. The main products of these reactions are sila-bis-λ³-germiranes, i.e. directly interconnected digermylenes that are part of a three-membered ring. The structural data, supported by the results of density functional calculations confirm the digermylene nature of these products with a long inner cyclic Ge–Ge bond that decreases the inherent high ring strain in silagermiranes.

The reaction of silole dianions with NHC stabilised germanium dichloride affords 3-sila-1l³,2l³-digermiranes, three-membered ring compounds that are directly interconnected digermylenes.     

Coordination polymer glass from a protic ionic liquid: proton conductivity and mechanical properties as an electrolyte

High proton conducting electrolytes with mechanical moldability are a key material for energy devices. We propose an approach for creating a coordination polymer (CP) glass from a protic ionic liquid for a solid-state anhydrous proton conductor. A protic ionic liquid (dema)(H₂PO₄), with components which also act as bridging ligands, was applied to construct a CP glass (dema)_0.35[Zn(H₂PO₄)_2.35(H₃PO₄)_0.65]. The structural analysis revealed that large Zn–H₂PO₄⁻/H₃PO₄ coordination networks formed in the CP glass. The network formation results in enhancement of the properties of proton conductivity and viscoelasticity. High anhydrous proton conductivity (σ = 13.3 mS cm⁻¹ at 120 °C) and a high transport number of the proton (0.94) were achieved by the coordination networks. A fuel cell with this CP glass membrane exhibits a high open-circuit voltage and power density (0.15 W cm⁻²) under dry conditions at 120 °C due to the conducting properties and mechanical properties of the CP glass.

A proton-conducting coordination polymer glass derived from a protic ionic liquid works as a moldable solid electrolyte and the anhydrous fuel cell showed I–V performance of 0.15 W cm⁻² at 120 °C.     

Exploring benzylic gem-C(sp3)–boron–silicon and boron–tin centers as a synthetic platform

A stepwise build-up of multi-substituted C_sp³ carbon centers is an attractive, conceptually simple, but often synthetically challenging type of disconnection. To this end, this report describes how gem-α,α-dimetalloid-substituted benzylic reagents bearing boron/silicon or boron/tin substituent sets are an excellent stepping stone towards diverse substitution patterns. These gem-dimetalloids were readily accessed, either by known carbenoid insertion into C–B bonds or by the newly developed scalable deprotonation/metallation approach. Highly chemoselective transformations of either the C–Si (or C–Sn) or the C–B bonds in the newly formed gem-C_sp³ centers have been achieved through a set of approaches, with a particular focus on exploiting the synthetically versatile polarity reversal in organometalloids by λ³-aryliodanes. Of particular note is the metal-free arylation of the C–Si (or C–Sn) bonds in such gem-dimetalloids via the iodane-guided C–H coupling approach. DFT calculations show that this transfer of the (α-Bpin)benzyl group proceeds via unusual [5,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement and is driven by the high-energy iodine(iii) center. As a complementary tool, the gem-dimetalloid C–B bond is shown to undergo a potent and chemoselective Suzuki–Miyaura arylation with diverse Ar–Cl, thanks to the development of the reactive gem-α,α-silyl/BF₃K building blocks.

This work explores divergent reactivity of the benzylic gem-boron–silicon and boron–tin double nucleophiles, including the arylation of the C–B bond with Ar–Cl, along with a complementary oxidative λ³-iodane-guided arylation of the C–Si/Sn moiety.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and characterization of manganese(III) complex containing a tetradentate Schiff base

N,N′-bis((2-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylidene)propane-1,2-diaminato-N,N′,O,O′)-(nitrato-O)-manganese(III) methanol solvate ([Mn(C₂₉H₂₄N₂O₂)(NO₃)CH₃OH]) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, UV–Vis, TG–FTIR, TG/DSC, molar conductivity, magnetic moment measurement and single crystal X-ray analysis. In the structure, the Mn(III) ion adopts a distorted octahedral geometry with two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms from the Schiff base ligand in the equatorial plane, and the nitrate ion and methanol molecule in the axial position. The effects of organic solvents of various polarities on the UV–Vis spectra of the ligand and complex were investigated. The manganese(III) complex is easily dissolved in organic polar aprotic solvents and has moderate solubility in organic polar protic solvents.     

Ligand exchange and solvolytic reactions of99mTcBr 6 2− in non-aqueous media

Prior work had documented that^99mTcCl ₆ ^2– could undergo ready ligand exchange reaction under non-aqueous condition. We now wish to report the ligand exchange reaction of bromine in^99mTcBr ₆ ^2– in non-aqueous solvents using 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) as the displacing ligand. Analysis of the products obtained by paper chromatography, HPLC and electrophoresis suggest that a 12 Tcoxine complex appears to be the most stable of the complexes formed, probably^99mTc(oxine)₂ Br₂. However, displacement of bromine by polar solvents (both protic and aprotic) can also occur, both on^99mTcBr ₆ ^2– and in the above complex as a consequence of solvolytic reactions. Other Tc-oxine complexes can also be formed upon ligand exchange, but they appear to be stable only under aprotic, non solvolytic conditions. These studies again document that hexahalotechnetate complexes exhibit ligand exchange reactions under non-aqueous conditions, that they allow the ready synthesis of novel technetium complexes, but that because of their high reactivity the effect of competing reactions must be considered.     

Preparation of phosphorus-containing polymers—XVI. Synthesis of phosphorus-containing polyanhydride-imides

Phosphorus-containing polyanhydride-imides were synthesized from N,N-bis(4-carboxyphthalimido)-3,3′-diphenylalkylphosphine oxide, 3,3′-[N,N′-bis(4-carboxyphthalimido)]benzophenone and their mixtures in two steps via the diacetyl derivatives of the bisimide-carboxylic acids. The resulting polymers have reduced viscosities of 0.06–0.14 dl/g and are soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as DMA, DMF and DMSO, and conc. H₂SO₄ etc. They have good hydrolytic stability for moisture and water. Phosphorus-containing polymers have little heat-resistance and poor flame-retardance. The benefit of incorporating phosphorus in the polymers is small.     

Kinetics and mechanism of monomolecular heterolysis of commercial organohalogen compounds: XLIII. Solvent effect on activation parameters of dehydrochlorination of 3-chloro-3-methylbut-1-ene. Correlation analysis of solvation effects

The influence of temperature on the rate of dehydrochlorination of 3-chloro-3-methylbut-1-ene in 17 aprotic and 13 protic solvents, ν = k[C₅H₉Cl], was studied by the verdazyl method. In aprotic solvents, the electrophilicity, ionizing power, and cohesion of solvents decrease ΔG ^≠ by increasing ΔS ^≠. The nucleophilicity and polarizability increase both ΔH ^≠ and ΔS ^≠ to equal extent and therefore do not affect ΔG ^≠. In protic solvents, the solvent nucleophilicity increases ΔH ^≠ to a greater extent than ΔS ^≠, and the overall effect of the nucleophilic solvation is small and negative.     

Carbon nitride–TiO2 hybrid modified with hydrogenase for visible light driven hydrogen production

A system consisting of a [NiFeSe]–hydrogenase (H₂ase) grafted on the surface of a TiO₂ nanoparticle modified with polyheptazine carbon nitride polymer, melon (CN_x) is reported. This semi-biological assembly shows a turnover number (TON) of more than 5.8 × 10⁵ mol H₂ (mol H₂ase)^–1 after 72 h in a sacrificial electron donor solution at pH 6 during solar AM 1.5 G irradiation. An external quantum efficiency up to 4.8% for photon-to-hydrogen conversion was achieved under irradiation with monochromatic light. The CN_x–TiO₂–H₂ase construct was also active under UV-free solar light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), where it showed a substantially higher activity than TiO₂–H₂ase and CN_x–H₂ase due, in part, to the formation of a CN_x–TiO₂ charge transfer complex and highly productive electron transfer to the H₂ase. The CN_x–TiO₂–H₂ase system sets a new benchmark for photocatalytic H₂ production with a H₂ase immobilised on a noble- and toxic-metal free light absorber in terms of visible light utilisation and stability.     

Luminescence Method for Studying the Formation and Stability of Macromolecular Complexes of Transition Metals with Carboxyl-Containing Polymers in Organic Solvents

Quenching of the luminescence of carboxyl-containing polymer molecules containing a luminescent marker by transition metal ions (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺) is observed not only in aqueous and aqueous-salt solutions, but also in polar organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide). In dilute solutions, quenching refl ects binding of metal ions with the polymer and changes in the degree of filling of the polymer carboxyl groups with transition metal ions quenching the luminescence. The equilibrium stability constant of the formed macromolecular metal complex in organic media can be quantitatively estimated from the quenching effect using the relationships that follow from the law of mass action. The formation and stability of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ complexes with polymethacrylic acid in protic (methanol, ethanol) and aprotic (dimethylformamide) solvents at low polymer concentrations (0.4–0.02 mg mL^–1) were studied using the quenching effect. In methanol, in contrast to ethanol and dimethylformamide, two mechanisms of binding of transition metal ions with different equilibrium stability constants of the complexes (\({K_{{1^{st}}}}\) > 3 × 10⁹ and \({K_{{2^{st}}}}\) ≈ 10⁶–10⁴) were revealed. The infl uence exerted on the stability of the complexes and on the complexation mechanism by the nature and acidity of the organic solvent, polymer concentration, kind of the transition metal ion quenching the luminescence, and NaOH and HCl additions was studied. The results obtained demonstrate the efficiency of the luminescence method used and prospects for its further use for studying polymer systems containing transition metal ions in organic solvents.     

Assessing solvent effects on the singlet excited state lifetime of uracil derivatives: A femtosecond fluorescence upconversion study in alcohols and D2O

The excited state lifetimes of uracil, thymine and 5-fluorouracil have been measured using femtosecond UV fluorescence upconversion in various protic and aprotic polar solvents. The fastest decays are observed in acetonitrile and the slowest in aqueous solution while those observed in alcohols are intermediate. No direct correlation with macroscopic solvent parameters such as polarity or viscosity is found, but hydrogen bonding is one key factor affecting the fluorescence decay. It is proposed that the solvent modulates the relative energy of two close-lying electronically excited states, the bright ππ^* and the dark nπ^* states. This relative energy gap controls the non-radiative relaxation of the ππ^* state through a conical intersection close to the Franck–Condon region competing with the ultrafast internal conversion to the ground state. In addition, an inverse isotope effect is observed in D₂O where the decays are faster than in H₂O.