Self-assembled free-floating nanomaterials from sequence-defined polymers

Sequence-defined polymers can be programmed to self-assemble into precise nanostructures for applications in biosensing, drug delivery, optics, and molecular computation. Inspired by the natural self-assembly processes present in biological protein and DNA systems, sets of molecular design rules have emerged across materials classes as instructions to build a variety of tunable structures. This review highlights recent advances in self-assembled sequence-defined and sequence-specific polymers across peptides, peptoids, DNA, and non-biological synthetic materials, with a focus on synthesis, assembly processes and overall structure. Specifically, these self-assembled structures are free-floating, as such constructs can potentially serve as a platform for the aforementioned applications. Emphasis is placed on the molecular design of polymers that self-assemble into zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional nanostructures. With the development of automated syntheses and increasing control over self-assembly, future work may focus on emerging classes of compatible hybrid materials with exciting directions toward new architectures and applications.     

Crystal structure and DFT calculations of methanol {E-N′-(2-hydroxybenzlidene)benzohydrazido}dioxidomolybdenum (VI) complex

The crystal and molecular structure of methanol {E-N′-(2-hydroxybenzlidene)benzohydrazido}dioxidomolybdenum (VI) was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. B3LYP/DZP basis set theoretical calculations nicely reproduce the X-ray experimental geometry. The obtained results are discussed in connection with the electronic and structural properties of the compound.     

SULPHUR ORGANIC COMPOUNS AS PROTECTORS FOR RADIATION

Abstract

The development of the scientific principles of the protective action of various compounds and in particular sulphur organic compounds for irradiation is one of the most actual problem in the modern radiation chemistry and radiobiology. With that in view the radiolysis of the various sulphur organic compounds in stationary and pulse conditions both in pure state and in model systems has been studied and the main regularities of their radiolytic behaviour are established. The primary processes of the radiolysis of sulphurorganic compounds containing SHY -S-, NH2, COOH, C H functional groups are investipated and the radical products of the radiolysis- anion- andcation-radicals, thiyl and alkyl radicals are identified and their reactivity is studied in irradiation field.     

Perylene-based profluorescent nitroxides for the rapid monitoring of polyester degradation upon weathering: An assessment

A profluorescent nitroxide possessing an isoindoline nitroxide moiety linked to a perylene fluorophore was developed to monitor radical mediated degradation of melamine-formaldehyde crosslinked polyester coil coatings in an industry standard accelerated weathering tester. Trapping of polyester-derived radicals (most likely C-radicals) that are generated during polymer degradation leads to fluorescent closed-shell alkoxy amines, which was used to obtain time-dependent degradation profiles to assess the relative stability of different polyesters towards weathering. The nitroxide probe couples excellent thermal stability and satisfactory photostability with high sensitivity and enables detection of free radical damage in polyesters under conditions that mimic exposure to the environment on a time scale of hours rather than months or years required by other testing methods. There are indications that the profluorescent nitroxide undergoes partial photo-degradation in the absence of polymer-derived radicals. Unexpectedly, it was also found that UV-induced fragmentation of the NO–C bond in closed-shell alkoxy amines leads to regeneration of the profluorescent nitroxide and the respective C-radical. The maximum fluorescence intensity that could be achieved with a given probe concentration is therefore not only determined by the amount of polyester radicals formed during accelerated weathering, but also by the light-driven side reactions of the profluorescent nitroxide and the corresponding alkoxy amine radical trapping products. Studies to determine the optimum probe concentration in the polymer matrix revealed that aggregation and re-absorption effects lowered the fluorescence intensity at higher concentrations of the profluorescent nitroxide, but too low probe concentrations, where these effects would be avoided, were not sufficient to trap the amount of polyester radicals formed upon weathering. The optimized experimental conditions were used to assess the impact of temperature and UV irradiance on polymer degradation during accelerated weathering.     

In situ single‐crystal to single‐crystal (SCSC) transformation of the one‐dimensional polymer catena‐poly[[diaqua(sulfato)copper(II)]‐μ2‐glycine] into the two‐dimensional polymer poly[μ2‐glycine‐μ4‐sulfato‐copper(II)]

The one‐dimensional coordination polymer catena‐poly[diaqua(sulfato‐κO)copper(II)]‐μ₂‐glycine‐κ²O:O′], [Cu(SO₄)(C₂H₅NO₂)(H₂O)₂]_n, (I), was synthesized by slow evaporation under vacuum of a saturated aqueous equimolar mixture of copper(II) sulfate and glycine. On heating the same blue crystal of this complex to 435 K in an oven, its aspect changed to a very pale blue and crystal structure analysis indicated that it had transformed into the two‐dimensional coordination polymer poly[(μ₂‐glycine‐κ²O:O′)(μ₄‐sulfato‐κ⁴O:O′:O′′:O′′)copper(II)], [Cu(SO₄)(C₂H₅NO₂)]_n, (II). In (I), the Cu^II cation has a pentacoordinate square‐pyramidal coordination environment. It is coordinated by two water molecules and two O atoms of bridging glycine carboxylate groups in the basal plane, and by a sulfate O atom in the apical position. In complex (II), the Cu^II cation has an octahedral coordination environment. It is coordinated by four sulfate O atoms, one of which bridges two Cu^II cations, and two O atoms of bridging glycine carboxylate groups. In the crystal structure of (I), the one‐dimensional polymers, extending along [001], are linked via N—H...O, O—H...O and bifurcated N—H...O,O hydrogen bonds, forming a three‐dimensional framework. In the crystal structure of (II), the two‐dimensional networks are linked via bifurcated N—H...O,O hydrogen bonds involving the sulfate O atoms, forming a three‐dimensional framework. In the crystal structures of both compounds, there are C—H...O hydrogen bonds present, which reinforce the three‐dimensional frameworks.     

Sulfur‐Functionalized Graphene Oxide by Epoxide Ring‐Opening

The treatment of graphene oxide (GO) with potassium thioacetate followed by an aqueous work‐up yields a new material via the ring‐opening of the epoxide groups. The new material is a thiol‐functionalized GO (GO‐SH) which is able to undergo further functionalization. Reaction with butyl bromide gives another new material, GO‐SBu, which shows significantly enhanced thermal stability compared to both GO and GO‐SH. The thiol‐functionalized GO material showed a high affinity for gold, as demonstrated by the selective deposition of a high density of gold nanoparticles.