Self-assembly of electron donor-acceptor dyads into ordered architectures in two and three dimensions: surface patterning and columnar "double cables"

We report the synthesis and characterization of covalent dyads and multiads of electron acceptors (A) and donors (D), with the purpose of exploiting their nanophase separation behavior toward (a) two-dimensional (2D) surface patterning with well-defined integrated arrays of dissimilar molecular electronic features and (b) bulk self-assembly to noncovalent columnar versions of the so-called "double cable" systems, the likes of which could eventually provide side-by-side percolation pathways for electrons and holes in solar cells. Soluble, alkylated hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronenes (HBCs) bearing tethered anthraquinones (AQs) are shown by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to self-assemble at the solution-graphite interface into either defect-rich polycrystalline monolayers or extended 2D crystalline domains, depending on the number of tethered AQs. In the bulk, the thermal stability of the room-temperature HBC columnar phase is increased, which is attributed to the desired nanotriphase separation of HBC columns, insulating alkyl sheaths, and AQ units. Homeotropic alignment (columns normal to surfaces), predicted to be ideal for potential exploitation of such "double cables" in photovoltaic devices, is demonstrated.     

Measurement of rheological properties of corn stover suspensions

Corn stover is currently being evaluated as a feedstock for ethanol production. The corn stover suspensions fed to reactors typically range between 10 and 40% solids. To simulate and design bioreactors for processing highly loaded corn stover suspensions, the rheologic properties of the suspension must be measured. In systems with suspended solids, rheologic measurements are difficult to perform owing to settling in the measurement devices. In this study, viscosities of corn stover suspensions were measured using a helical ribbon impeller viscometer. A calibration procedure is required for the impeller method in order to obtain the shear rate constant, k, which is dependent on the geometry of the measurement system. The corn stover suspensions are described using a power law flow model.     

Synthesis, binding affinity, and relaxivity of target-specific MRI contrast agents

Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important imaging modalities of the central nervous system (CNS), one of the main drawbacks of MRI is its limited specificity. This can potentially be partially alleviated by target-specific contrast agents. In the present paper we describe a simple high yield synthesis of two such gadolinium-based spiperone targeted MRI contrast agents, 1a and 1b. The R₁ relaxivities of 1a and 1b were evaluated and found to be 5.94 and 8.31 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively at 9.4T, while their R₂ relaxivities at the same magnetic field were found to be 18.05 and 22.60 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. In addition and very importantly compound 1a, which is a gadolinium-based, spiperone-targeted MRI contrast agent, was found to preserve some of the spiperone affinity toward the dopamine D2 receptor. Compounds 1a and 1b thus represent potential agents for in vitro dopamine receptor imaging using MRI in experimental models. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Structure of microemulsions with gemini surfactant studied by solvatochromic probe and diffusion NMR

The structure of microemulsions prepared by the anionic gemini surfactant didodecyl diphenyl ether disulfonate (C12-DADS) was investigated by a solvatochromic probe and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusion measurements. The NMR measurements indicate the presence of bicontinuous and oil-in-water microemulsions depending on microemulsion composition. The absorbance spectra of the solvatochromic probe, Nile red, indicate the solubilization of the probe in different sites, in agreement with the NMR findings. It was also found that the microemulsions were capable of dissolving the hydrophobic probe, Nile red, up to four times better than expected if it were simply dissolved in the toluene phase.     

Acylation through Ketene Intermediates

Carboxylic acids possessing a strong electron-withdrawing group in the alpha-position undergo facile dehydration upon reaction with carbodiimides to form the corresponding substituted ketenes that can react in situ with alcohols providing esters in a high yield. The ketene formed by the treatment of ethyl 2-methylmalonate with DCC was trapped in situ by a [4+2] cycloaddition with a second DCC molecule. The chemoselectivity of the acylation through the ketene intermediates was found to be substantially different from that of conventional acylation reagents showing a very low sensitivity toward the steric bulk of alcohols. A comparison of the sensitivity of the acylation to the steric bulk of alcohols supports the presence of a pseudopericyclic pathway for the nucleophilic addition of alcohols to ketenes derived from ethyl malonic and diethylphosphonoacetic acid.     

The Structure of New Host Molecules that form Channel Inclusion Compounds

1,3-Benzenediamine,N,N′-bis(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl) and 1,3,5-Triazine,2,2′-[2-methyl-1,3-phenylenebis(oxy)] bis(4,6-dichloro) were synthesized as host molecules. The inclusion compound of 1,3-Benzenediamine,N,N′-bis(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl) crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system in space group C2/c. The host molecule occupies the space group 2-fold special position and packed in the crystal lattice in such a manner as to leave channels running along the c axis of a rectangular cross-section. It crystallizes with two molecules of acetone that are hydrogen bonded to the amino nitrogen atoms. Molecules of 1,3,5-Triazine,2,2′-[2-methyl-1,3-phenylene bis(oxy)]bis(4,6-dichloro) are packed in the crystal in such a manner as to leave channels of a trapezoid cross-section that are running along the a axis. Guest molecules such as metanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate can be used to fill the channels. The crystal structures of two inclusion compounds are described.     

Iron(III) dihydrogenphosphate(I)

The structure of rhombohedral (R) iron(III) tris­[di­hydrogen­phosphate(I)] or iron(III) hypophosphite, Fe(H₂PO₂)₃, has been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure consists of [001] chains of Fe³⁺ cations in octa­hedral sites with symmetry bridged by bidentate hypophosphite anions.     

Thermochemistry of C60 and C70 fullerene solvates

In an effort to improve understanding of dissolution behaviour of fullerenes and their simple chemical derivatives the binary systems of C₆₀, C₇₀ and the piperazine monoadduct of [60] fullerene C₆₀ N₂C₄H₈ with a series of aromatic solvents have been studied by means of DSC. In certain systems solid solvates have been found to be the thermodynamically stable phases relative to saturated solution at room temperature. Identified solid solvates were characterized by their compositions, temperatures and enthalpies of incongruent melting transitions. The regularities in thermodynamic stability of the solvated crystals have been discussed along with dissolution properties of fullerenes and the derivative. Certain correlations have been observed.     

A one-step route to azomethine ylides via chloroiminium salts

A new, one-step procedure for the generation of azomethine ylides, 4 and 20, via chloroiminium salts, 3 and 19, is reported. The generation of the azomethine ylides was confirmed by their trapping with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) which, upon spontaneous 1,4-dehydrochlorination, gave the corresponding pyrroles 17 and 21.     

Neighbouring-group Influence on the Ring Opening of Some 2-Alkyl-1,1,2-tribromocyclopropanes under Phase-transfer Conditions

Several 2-alkyl-1,1,2-tribromocyclopropanes were treated with sodium hydroxide and ethanol under phase-transfer conditions. Ring opening gave mixtures of the corresponding acetylenic diethyl ketals and acetals. When the steric bulk of the alkyl substituent was increased acetal formation dominated, and in the case of 1,1,2-tribromo-2-(tert-butyl)cyclopropane, the acetal was formed as the only product.