Synthesis, characterization, and autoreduction of a highly electron-deficient porphycenatoiron(III) with trifluoromethyl substituents

The synthesis of the first fluorine-containing iron porphycenes, 2,7,12,17-tetraethyl-3,6,13,16-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)porphycenatoiron(III) chloride [FePc(EtioCF(3))]Cl and its micro-oxo dimer [FePc(EtioCF(3))](2)O and their characterizations are reported. The crystal structure of [FePc(EtioCF(3))](2)O displays a severe saddled distortion of the porphycene framework due to the steric and electronic effects of the CF(3) substituents. The oxidation and reduction potentials for the micro-oxo dimer are significantly more positive compared to those observed for the reference micro-oxo dimer of the iron porphycenes and porphyrins having no electron-withdrawing substituent. Moreover, the (1)H and (19)F NMR spectra of [FePc(EtioCF(3))](2)O demonstrated that the micro-oxo dimer is readily converted into the monomeric ferrous complex in pyridine-d(5) through autoreduction for 1 day, although the reduction of the reference iron porphycenes and porphyrins are not observed in pyridine. These results indicate that the trifluoromethylated iron porphycene is a highly electron-deficient complex with a pyrrolic macrocycle ligand.     

Columnar mesomorphism from hemi-disklike metallomesogens derived from 2,6-bis[3',4',5'-tri(alkoxy)phenyliminomethyl]pyridines (L): crystal and molecular structures of [M(L)Cl2] (M=Mn,Ni, Zn)

Four new series of non-disklike complexes of general formula [MCl(2)(L(n))] based upon substituted 2,6-bis(3',4',5'-trialkoxyphenyliminomethyl)pyridine ligands (L(n)) and with M=Zn(II), Co(II), Mn(II), and Ni(II) have been prepared and examined for liquid crystallinity. A complete analysis of the thermal behavior by polarized-light optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle Xray scattering revealed a rich and varied mesomorphism. Moreover, the high thermal stability of the compounds leads to rather extended mesomorphic ranges. The nature and thermal stability of each mesophase depend on both the length of the six terminal alkoxy chains, n (n=8, 10, 12, 14, 16), and on the metal ions. As demonstrated by small-angle Xray diffraction experiments, the mesomorphism of these complexes is solely of the columnar type. One compound shows an oblique columnar phase, while most of them show a hexagonal columnar phase, Col(h), and several types of rectangular columnar phase, Col(r). Xray single-crystal structures obtained for three methoxy derivatives confirm the 1:1 metal-ligand stoichiometry of the complexes, in which the metal is pentacoordinate with a distorted, trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The crystalline structures also reveal the existence of some columnar organization in the solid state, the columns resulting from an alternated stacking of the complexes in one direction. By combining these results with those obtained from dilatometry experiments, a model for the molecular organization within the mesophases is proposed in which an antiparallel arrangement of the metallomesogens is retained in the mesophase.     

Mesomorphic properties of copolyesters of 3,6-linked triphenylene-based units and polymethylene spacers

Main chain discotic liquid crystalline polymers consisting of triphenylene-based units and alkyl spacers (C8, C10 and C12), connected by ester linkages in the 3- and 6-positions of triphenylene, have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties were studied by DSC, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. It was found that these polymers exhibit a hexagonal columnar (Col h ) mesophase with intracolumnar order over a wide temperature range. The clearing temperature decreases on increasing the spacer length. It was found that the clearing temperatures are rather higher than that of the corresponding triphenylene monomer having six hexyloxy chains. These polymers form an ordered columnar mesophase, while the corresponding monomeric mesogen shows a disordered columnar phase. In the polymeric system, the fluctuations of the disc-like units in the mesophase are restricted by the connection of the mesogenic units, which stabilizes the columnar mesophase.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of novel discotic meso-tetra(3,4,5-n-trialkoxybenzoylaminophenyl)porphyrins

Novel porphyrin derivatives with twelve flexible alkyl chains, namely meso-tetra[4-(3,4,5-n-trialkoxybenzoylamino)phenyl]porphyrins (1a, n = 12; 1b, n = 16) and the zinc complex (2a) were synthesized. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by DSC, WAXD and polarizing optical microscopy; the results showed that 1a and 2a exhibit a pseudo-hexagonal columnar phase, and 1b a rectangular (Col) phase over a wide temperature range including room temperature.     

Broad Hexagonal Columnar Mesophases Formation in Bioinspired Transition‐Metal Complexes of Simple Fatty Acid meta‐Octaester Derivatives of meso‐Tetraphenyl Porphyrins

A series of meta‐substituted fatty acid octaester derivatives and their transition‐metal complexes of meso‐ tetraphenyl porphyrins (TPP‐8OOCR, with R=C_n?1H_2n?1, n=8, 12, or 16) have been prepared through very simple synthesis protocols. The thermotropic phase behavior and the liquid crystalline (LC) organization structures of the synthesized porphyrin derivatives were systematically investigated by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and variable‐temperature small‐angle X‐ray scattering/wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) techniques. The shorter octanoic acid ester substituted porphyrin (C8‐TPP) did not show liquid crystallinity and its metal porphyrins exhibited an uncommon columnar mesophase. The lauric acid octaester (C12‐TPP) and the palmitic acid octaester (C16‐TPP) series porphyrins generated hexagonal columnar mesophase Col_h. Moreover, the metal porphyrins C12‐TPPM and C16‐TPPM with M=Zn, Cu, or Ni, exhibited well‐organized Col_h mesophases of broad LC temperature ranges increasing in the order of TPPNi<TPPCu≤TPPZn with their increased effective ionic radii in the square‐planar coordination. The simplicity in synthesis, the well intercolumnar organization of Col_h mesophase, the broadness of the discotic LC range, and the specific UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence emission behaviors make the symmetrically substituted fatty acid octaester porphyrins and their metal complexes very attractive for variant applications.     

Synthesis and columnar mesophase of fluorescent liquid crystals bearing a C2-symmetric chiral core

A chiral and fluorescent columnar mesogen prepared from chiral binaphthols is reported. This liquid crystal comprises a C2-symmetric chiral core with two staggered aromatic planes. Its hexagonal columnar (Col(h)) mesophase was characterized by appropriate physical methods.     

A propeller-like uranyl metallomesogen

Uranyl triflate forms with three imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline ligands a propeller-like complex that exhibits a hexagonal columnar phase. The ligand is not liquid-crystalline, but a mesophase is induced upon complex formation with the uranyl salt. The thermal behavior has been investigated by polarizing optical microscopy and by high-temperature X-ray diffraction. A model of the stacking of the molecules in the mesophase is proposed.     

Dilatometric investigation of thermotropic linear chain copper (II) alkanoates

The molar volumes of three binuclear copper (II) alkanoates (cupric octadecanoate, docosanoate, and tetracosanoate) were measured over the temperature range 30°–200 °C, which encompasses their phase transition to a columnar mesophase. A sharp volume increase in a narrow temperature interval about the transition was observed, consistent with a first-order phase transition. Values obtained for the partial molar volume of a methylene group in the columnar mesophase (16.9±0.3 cm³/mol) are between those for crystalline paraffins and for other smectic or discotic mesogens, respectively, indicating a disordered state, but not a complete fusion, of the aliphatic chains of the copper soaps in their columnar mesophase. The stacking period of the binuclear copper complexes in a column was derived from a combination of dilatometric and X-ray data. Its value, 4.64±0.08 Å, is independent of the chain length of the complex and of the temperature.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis(4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl)porphyrins

5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl)porphyrins and their Zinc complexes exhibit hexagonal columnar phases with low phase transition temperatures and wide mesophase ranges.     

Thermochromic discotic 6-oxoverdazyls

6-Oxoverdazyls 1b[n], substituted with three 3,4,5-trialkoxyphenyl groups (n = 8 and 10), exhibit a columnar hexagonal phase (Col(h)) below 130 °C. They display reversible color change from red to green at the transition to the isotropic phase. XRD and magnetization data do not support dimerization of the radicals in the mesophase.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis(4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl)porphyrins

5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl)porphyrins and their Zinc complexes exhibit hexagonal columnar phases with low phase transition temperatures and wide mesophase ranges.     

Electrochemical studies of corrphycenes and metallocorrphycenes

Corrphycene 3 (Cn) is a structural isomer of porphyrin 1 that was synthesized for the first time 5 years ago. This paper reports on the redox properties of free-base octaethylcorrphycene H2OECn and 16 metal complexes derived therefrom. In CH2Cl2 solution, the free base and the metallo(II) octaethylcorrphycenes, M(II)OECn, typically undergo four distinct one-electron redox steps involving the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle, of which two are reduction steps and two are oxidations. One exception to this general pattern is displayed by the Co(II)OECn complex. In this instance, the first one-electron reduction is metal-centered and produces Co(I)OECn. A comparison of the redox potentials of corrphycenes with those of porphyrins and porphycenes indicates that the first reduction potentials of the free base and of the metallo-octaethylcorrphycenes are between those of the porphycenes-the easiest to reduce molecules in this set of isomeric tetrapyrrolic systems-and those of the porphyrins. The oxidation potentials of corrphycenes and porphyrins are found to be quite similar. On the other hand, porphycenes are oxidized at less positive potentials. The redox gap deltaE1/2 = E1/2Ox1 - E1/2Red1 is equal to 2.15 +/- 0.08 V for the free base corrphycene and the various metallocorrphycenes that were subjected to study. This redox gap is not much different from that observed in porphyrins (deltaE1/2 = 2.25 +/- 0.1 V), whereas if differs significantly from that observed in porphycenes (deltaE1/2 = 1.85 +/- 0.15 V). The sequence of these deltaE1/2 values parallels the lowest energy absorption maxima observed in the UV-vis spectra of these three isomers.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of novel discotic meso‐tetra(3,4,5‐n‐trialkoxybenzoylaminophenyl)porphyrins

Novel porphyrin derivatives with twelve flexible alkyl chains, namely meso‐tetra[4‐(3,4,5‐n‐trialkoxybenzoylamino)phenyl]porphyrins (1a, n = 12; 1b, n = 16) and the zinc complex (2a) were synthesized. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by DSC, WAXD and polarizing optical microscopy; the results showed that 1a and 2a exhibit a pseudo‐hexagonal columnar phase, and 1b a rectangular (Col) phase over a wide temperature range including room temperature.     

Studies of the thermotropic mesophase behaviour exhibited by a highly asymmetric tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin derivative

The thermotropic mesophase behaviour of an asymmetrically shaped and highly substituted tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin (TBTAP) derivative has been studied by optical microscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction. The TBTAP macrocycle differs from the more common phthalocyanine ring system by the substitution of a methine for a nitrogen at one meso-position. The TBTAP core was substituted with a single heptadecyl chain at this meso-position and four neopentyl groups were statistically distributed around the peripheral benzene rings. In contrast to an earlier study of this system which described the structure of the mesophase as discotic lamellar, detailed X-ray diffraction study indicates that the TBTAP derivative forms a disordered hexagonal columnar mesophase (Col hd ), with a weak tendency towards antiparallel orientation of neighbouring molecules observed in the form of a weak pseudo-centred rectangular packing.     

Structural study of crystalline and columnar copper (II) soaps

A homologous series of binuclear copper (II) linear chain alkanoates together with two branched chain and one aromatic substituted copper (II) alkanoates have been synthesized and studied by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. All of these are crystalline at room temperature, they are mesomorphic in nature above c. 100°C, with the exception of copper propionate which remains crystalline up to its thermal decomposition above 200°C. A systematic study has shown that the linear chain alkanoates, starting from the pentanoic derivative, produce columnar mesophases with hexagonal symmetry. Columns of polar copper carboxylate groups are surrounded by disordered aliphatic chains, and form a two dimensional hexagonal lattice. The repeat unit in a column is a binuclear dicopper tetracarboxylate complex. Two transition regimes have been detected leading from the crystal to the columnar mesophase: one dominated by the interactions between the polar heads, the other by the interactions between aliphatic chains. In the special case of the butyric derivative, the columnar mesophase obtained is rectangular in symmetry. Instead of being oriented perpendicular to the columnar axis and superposed in a four fold helicoidal fashion, the repeat units in the columns are tilted and all shifted in the same direction with respect to one another.     

First synthesis of dodecasubstituted porphycenes

The synthesis of dodecasubstituted porphycenes has not been reported, to date. Herein, the preparation of tetramethyloctaethylporphycene by a McMurry‐type coupling of 3,3′,4,4′‐tetraethyl‐5,5′‐diformyl‐2,2′‐bipyrrole was attempted at first, but dodecasubstituted porphycene was not successfully obtained and only pyrrolocyclophene was obtained. The structure of the pyrrolocyclophene was determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, FAB MS, and X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis. The pyrrolocyclophene was not successfully oxidized to porphycene. Then, the McMurry‐type coupling of bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene (BCOD)‐fused 5,5′‐diacyl‐2,2′‐bipyrroles was performed and tetra‐meso‐octa‐β‐substituted (dodecasubstituted) porphycenes were successfully obtained for the first time. The structures were determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis. The crystal structures and NMR spectra were compared carefully with octasubstituted porphycenes, and there was a good correlation between the position of the substituents, the N1? N2 and N1? N4 distances of the porphycene inner nitrogen atoms, and NMR chemical shifts of the inner NH protons, which expressed the strength of N? H???N hydrogen bonding between N1 and N2. These results suggested that the BCOD structure was relatively compact compared with common alkyl groups and that was why the dodecasubstituted porphycenes were available this time. UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence properties are also discussed.     

The molten phase conductance and the thermotropic phase transition in lead(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) 10-hydroxyoctadecanoates

The electrical conductances and heats of phase changes in lead(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) 10-hydroxyoctadecanoates are measured. The soaps are prepared by metathesis in alcohol solution from 10-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid which in turn is prepared from the oxidation of cis-9-octadecenoic (oleic) acid with concentrated sulphuric acid.The Arrhenius plot for lead(II) 10-hydroxyoctadecanoate shows a maximum, a behaviour that had earlier been interpreted to be due to complex formation. A similar plot for zinc(II) 10-hydroxyoctadecanoate is linear while that for cadmium(II) 10-hydroxyoctadecanoate presents a discontinuity which is interpreted, with the aid of the differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) spectra and optical examination, to be suggestive of the formation of an intermediate phase between the solid and the liquid phases. The low conductances of the soaps in comparison with the literature data on some metal caboxylates indicate the existence of extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the molten phase. Both lead(II) and zinc(II) 10-hydroxyoctadecanoates melt directly from the solid to the liquid phase while their cadmium(II) counterpart passes through the gel-like phase before melting into the liquid. The mesophase of cadmium(II) 10-hydroxyoctadecanoate is transformed to the liquid phase with a relatively low enthalpy change and the behaviour is associated with the cylindrical micekkar structures of the liquid phase that have their formative stage from the gel-like mesophase.     

QUANTUM YIELD OF PRODUCTION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN (xδg) IN AQUEOUS DISPERSIONS OF SMALL UNILAMELLAR LIPID VESICLES. A TIME-RESOLVED NEAR-IR PHOSPHORESCENCE STUDY*,†

The quantum yield of formation and kinetic behaviour of O2(1 delta g) in D2O dispersions of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine were studied by time-resolved detection of near-IR phosphorescence. At a SUV concentration of 26 nM, O2(1 delta g) is not quenched by the vesicles. It diffuses quickly through the lipid bilayer and a partition equilibrium of O2(1 delta g) between the lipid bilayer and the buffer is attained before decay occurs. In this equilibrium situation O2(1 delta g) is mostly located in the buffer phase, which permits the determination of absolute quantum yields for O2(1 delta g) production, phi delta, by comparison of the luminescence in the dispersions with that in neat D2O. The maximal phi delta values for the sensitizers incorporated in the SUV bilayer were 0.47 +/- 0.09 for the dipyridyl complex of zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc), 0.35 +/- 0.08 for porphycene, and 0.36 +/- 0.08 for 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propylporphycene. These values are equal to those in neat organic solvents but lower than those previously obtained in SUVs by using chemical trapping agents. The high degree of organization of the environment around the sensitizers does not influence their efficiency of producing O2(1 delta g). While no concentration dependence is observed for ZnPc (at least up to a local concentration of 20 mM in the bilayer), phi delta for both porphycenes significantly decreases above a local concentration of 4 mM in the bilayer. This result is expected in view of previous observations on the concentration dependence of other photophysical parameters of the porphycenes in such microheterogeneous media.     

Lamellar to inverted hexagonal mesophase transition in DNA complexes with calamitic, discotic, and cubic shaped cationic lipids

In this study, we report on the lipid tail molecular shape/size effect on the mesophase self-assembly behaviors of various cationic lipids complexed with double-stranded DNA. The molecular shape of the cationic lipids was tailored from rodlike (a cyanobiphenyl imidazolium salt) to discotic (a triphenylene imidazolium salt), and finally to cubic [a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) imidazolium salt]. An increase in the cross-sectional area of the hydrophobic tails with respect to the hydrophilic imidazolium head induced a negative spontaneous curvature of the cationic lipids. As a result, a morphological change from lamello-columnar (L(C)(alpha)) phase for the DNA-cyanobiphenyl imidazolium salt (DNA-rod) and DNA-triphenylene imidazolium salt (DNA-disk) complexes to an inverted hexagonal columnar (H(C)(II)) phase for the DNA-POSS imidazolium salt (DNA-cube) complex was observed. The DNA-rod complex had a typical smectic A (SmA) L(C)(alpha) morphology, whereas the DNA-disk complex had a double lamello-columnar liquid crystalline phase. However, when the lipid tail changed to POSS, an H(C)(II) morphology was achieved. These morphological changes were successfully characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. We expect that these liquid crystalline and crystalline DNA hybrid materials may become potential functional materials for various applications such as organic microelectronics and gene transfection.     

Liquid crystalline dendrimer of the fifth generation: From lamellar to columnar structure in thermotropic mesophases

The structure of a liquid crystalline (LC) carbosilane dendrimer of the fifth generation bearing 128 terminal cyanobiphenyl mesogenic groups has been studied. This dendrimer was synthesized by a hydrosilylation reaction and then the cyanobiphenyl mesogenic groups were chemically linked to the dendritic matrix via a-OOC-(CH2)10-Si(CH3)2OSi(CH3)2-spacer. Structural studies carried out by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction methods revealed unusual phase behaviour. At room temperature the dendrimer forms a lamellar (smectic A) phase which develops in-plane ordering above 40C.This is due toa tendency to form columns ofmolecules which areprobably perpendicular to the layers. Above 121C the material transforms into another more disordered mesophase which is probably a disordered hexagonal columnar phase. The proposed structures and molecular packing in these different types of mesophase are discussed.