Visible-Light-Induced Control over Reversible Single-Chain Nanoparticle Folding

We introduce a class of single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) that respond to visible light (λ_max=415 nm) with complete unfolding from their compact structure into linear chain analogues. The initial folding is achieved by a simple esterification reaction of the polymer backbone constituted of acrylic acid and polyethylene glycol carrying monomer units, introducing bimane moieties, which allow for the photochemical unfolding, reversing the ester-bond formation. The compaction and the light driven unfolding proceed cleanly and are readily followed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), monitoring the change in the hydrodynamic radius (R_H). Importantly, the folding reaction and the light-induced unfolding are reversible, supported by the high conversion of the photo cleavage. As the unfolding reaction occurs in aqueous systems, the system holds promise for controlling the unfolding of SCNPs in biological environments.     

Charge-Transfer and Spin-Flip States: Thriving as Complements

Transition metal complexes with photoactive charge-transfer excited states are pervasive throughout the literature. In particular, [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine), with its metal-to-ligand charge-transfer emission, has been established as a key complex. Meanwhile, interest in so-called spin-flip metal-centered states has risen dramatically after the molecular ruby [Cr(ddpd)₂]³⁺ (ddpd=N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dipyridin-2-yl-pyridine-2,6-diamine) led to design principles to access strong, long-lived emission from photostable chromium(III) complexes. This Review contrasts the properties of emissive charge-transfer and spin-flip states by using [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [Cr(ddpd)₂]³⁺ as prototypical examples. We discuss the relevant excited states, the tunability of their energy and lifetimes, and their response to external stimuli. Finally, we identify strengths and weaknesses of charge-transfer and spin-flip states in applications such as photocatalysis and circularly polarized luminescence.     

On-Surface Synthesis and Real-Space Visualization of Aromatic P3N3

On-surface synthesis is at the verge of emerging as the method of choice for the generation and visualization of unstable or unconventional molecules, which could not be obtained via traditional synthetic methods. A case in point is the on-surface synthesis of the structurally elusive cyclotriphosphazene (P₃N₃), an inorganic aromatic analogue of benzene. Here, we report the preparation of this fleetingly existing species on Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces at 5.2 K through molecular manipulation with unprecedented precision, i.e., voltage pulse-induced sextuple dechlorination of an ultra-small (about 6 Å) hexachlorophosphazene P₃N₃Cl₆ precursor by the tip of a scanning probe microscope. Real-space atomic-level imaging of cyclotriphosphazene reveals its planar D_3h-symmetric ring structure. Furthermore, this demasking strategy has been expanded to generate cyclotriphosphazene from a hexaazide precursor P₃N₂₁ via a different stimulation method (photolysis) for complementary measurements by matrix isolation infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy.     

Further aspects of the roaming mechanism in formaldehyde dissociation

Recently we reported a novel “roaming” dissociation pathway of formaldehyde in which one of the H atoms strays far from the minimum energy reaction path, explores a broad region of the potential energy surface, then abstracts the remaining H atom to form molecular products, without going near the configuration of the conventional transition state saddle point. The detailed dynamics of the abstraction mechanism and its energy dependence have already been reported. Here, with a combination of experimental and theoretical results, we examine the roaming behavior at the energetic extremes. We show evidence of roaming below the threshold of the radical dissociation channel and consider the implications of this and the possible existence of a transition state for the roaming mechanism. We also show the occurrence of roaming up to 3200 cm⁻¹ above the threshold of the triplet dissociation channel. In addition, we present results affording deeper insight into the dynamics of the roaming mechanism: we show evidence of roaming leading to CO in v = 1, and examine the issue of nuclear spin conservation during dissociation via the roaming mechanism.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of furyl-phenyl-acrylates and naphthofurans and their interaction with ct-<Emphasis Type="Italic">DNA</Emphasis>

A series of novel substituted derivatives related to furyl-phenyl-acrylates and naphthofurans, was synthesized and characterized by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Acyclic compounds can undergo photochemical dehydrocyclization by visible light irradiation in order to obtain their cyclic derivatives. The interactions of the prepared compounds with calf thymus DNA was investigated by means of electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra. It is intriguing that addition of ct-DNA induced a fluorescence increase of acyclic derivatives, exactly the opposite of the strong fluorescence quenching observed for cyclic derivatives 10 and 12. Compound 11 showed decreasing fluorescence intensity for lower concentrations of ct-DNA, while increasing of fluorescence is observed for high excess of added ct-DNA. Correspondence: Grace Karminski-Zamola, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 20, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.     

Cationic photopolymerization of 1,3-di(9-carbazolyl)-2-propanol glycidyl ether

An absorbance probe method was used for the investigation of photolysis of cationic photoinitiators. The rates of the photolysis of diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate (DPIH), diphenyliodonium tetrafluoroborate (DPIB), di(tert-butylphenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborate (DTIB), di(tert-butylphenyl)iodonium bromate (DTIBr), triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate (TPS) and cyclopropyldiphenylsulfonium tetrafluoroborate (CPS) were studied in the presence of acid indicator quinaldine red (QR) in acetonitrile. Diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate and triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate showed the highest photolysis rate. Photopolymerization of 1,3-di(9-carbazolyl)-2-propanol glycidyl ether (DCPGE) initiated with the iodonium and sulfonium salts in bulk and in solution was studied. It was established that the highest initial rate of polymerization is characteristic of DCPGE photopolymerization initiated with DPIH and TPS in bulk. The oligomers of DCPGE of number average molecular weight ( ) ranging from 710 to 1220 were obtained in these reactions in bulk and those with ranging from 1300 to 1600 were obtained in solution. Correspondence: Ruta Lazauskaite, Juozas V. Grazulevicius, Department of Organic Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilenu plentas 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania.     

Synthesis of the novel conjugated ω,ω′-diaryl/heteroaryl hexatriene system with the central double bond in a heteroaromatic ring: photochemical transformations of 2,3-divinylfuran derivatives

New β,β′-aryl/heteroaryl 2,3-divinylfuran derivatives (9a-d) in which a hexatriene system is a part of heteroaromatic ring have been synthesized and their photochemical properties were investigated. The primary process observed was the isomerization to trans,trans-isomers 9a-d followed by photochemical rearrangement of the furan ring giving the phototransposition products (I-IV). Stilbenes (20, 21) and phenanthrenes (22, 25, and 26), formed as secondary products from the competitive intermolecular cycloadditions, were also observed.     

Evaluation of Schiff bases of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole as photostabilizer for poly(methyl methacrylate)

The photostabilization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films by Schiff bases of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds was investigated. The PMMA films containing concentration of complexes 0.5% by weight were produced by the casting method from chloroform solvent. The photostabilization activities of these compounds were determined by monitoring the hydroxyl index with irradiation time. The changes in viscosity average molecular weight of PMMA with irradiation time were also tracked (using benzene as a solvent). The quantum yield of the chain scission (Φ_cs) of these complexes in PMMA films was evaluated and found to range between 4.19 × 10^?5 and 8.75 × 10^?5. Results obtained showed that the rate of photostabilization of PMMA in the presence of the additive followed the trend:[1] > [2] > [3] > [4] > [5].According to the experimental results obtained, several mechanisms were suggested depending on the structure of the additive. Among them, UV absorption, peroxide decomposer, and radical scavenger for photostabilizer mechanisms were suggested.     

钌联吡啶单配体双取代基效应

对钌联吡啶配合物及其单配体的4,4′ 双取代衍生物, 用量子化学密度泛函(DFT)方法在B3LYP/LanL2DZ水平上进行计算.探讨一些强的推电子基团(如－OCH3)和强的拉电子基团(如－NO2)的取代基效应对配合物的电子结构与相关性质,如配位键长、光谱性质等的影响规律,为该类配合物的合成,光、电、催化和生化作用机理分析提供理论参考.