Gold Nanoparticles Carrying Diatomic Molecules (O2 and CO) in Aqueous Solution

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by citrate reduction of aurochloric acid (HAuCl₄) were functionalized by tris(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(III) (Fe^IIIP2) and poly(ethylene glycol) with thiolated arms (PEG‐SH). Fe^IIIP2 on the AuNP surface existed as its μ‐oxo dimer, which was reduced by Na₂S₂O₄ to yield monomeric Fe^IIP2. Fe^IIP2‐bearing AuNPs were further functionalized through inclusion of two sulfonatophenyl groups of Fe^IIP2 by a per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker (Py3CD) to obtain AuNPs capable of carrying diatomic molecules in the body. The resulting AuNPs (hemoCD‐AuNPs) bound O₂ as well as CO in an aqueous solution. Although a noncolloidal 1:1 complex of 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) and Py3CD injected into the femoral vein of a rat was rapidly excreted in the urine, no excretion was observed with ferric hemoCD‐AuNPs, which were gradually accumulated in the spleen and liver of a rat. These results suggest that hemoCD‐AuNPs can be used as a carrier of diatomic molecules such as O₂ and CO in vivo.     

A Myoglobin Functional Model Composed of a Ferrous Porphyrin and a Cyclodextrin Dimer with an Imidazole Linker

A 1:1 inclusion complex (Fe^IIPImCD) of 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis‐ (4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) (Fe^IIP) and an O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer with an imidazole linker (ImCD) was found to bind dioxygen in aqueous solution. The half‐saturation pressure of dioxygen (P_1/2^O2) is 1.7 torr at 25 °C, which is 10 times lower than that for a previous myoglobin functional model (hemoCD) with a pyridine linker. Meanwhile, the half‐life of oxygenated Fe^IIPImCD is 3 h, which is 10 times shorter than that of oxygenated hemoCD. The covering of the iron(II) center by a microscopic environment is essential for preventing autoxidation of oxygenated ferrous porphyrin, which is promoted by nucleophilic attack of H₂O and/or nucleophiles such as inorganic anions. Due to structural requirements, covering of the Fe^II center of Fe^IIPImCD is insufficient compared with the case of hemoCD. As a result, water molecules can penetrate more easily the cleft of the O₂–Fe^IIPImCD complex and act as an autoxidation inducer. This structure also causes poorer selectivity against carbon monoxide (M=1040). In contrast, the dioxygen affinity of Fe^IIPImCD is much higher than that of hemoCD because the imidazole moiety is a stronger electron donor than pyridine.     

Bioconjugation of Serum Albumin to a Maleimide‐appended Porphyrin/Cyclodextrin Supramolecular Complex as an Artificial Oxygen Carrier in the Bloodstream

HemoCD is an inclusion complex of per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer and an iron(II) porphyrin, which forms a stable O₂ complex in water. Therefore, hemoCD has the potential for use as a synthetic O₂ carrier in mammalian blood. In this study, a hemoCD derivative having a maleimide group (Mal‐hemoCD) was conjugated to a Cys residue of serum albumin via a Michael addition reaction in order to increase the circulation time of the O₂ carrier. The O₂‐binding affinities (P_1/2 [Torr]) and half‐lives (t_1/2 [h]) of the O₂ adducts at pH 7.4 and 25 °C were determined to be 9 Torr and 23 h for Mal‐hemoCD, and 10 Torr and 14 h for albumin‐conjugated hemoCD (Alb‐hemoCD). Our pharmacokinetic study revealed that renal excretion of Alb‐hemoCD was effectively suppressed and that half of injected Alb‐hemoCD remained in blood at 3 h after injection. It is noteworthy that Mal‐hemoCD also had a long circulation time because of the bioconjugation reaction that occurred during circulation in the bloodstream.     

Synthesis and photoisomerization of poly(1‐methylpropargyl ester)s carrying azobenzene moieties

Optically active 1‐methylpropargyl esters bearing azobenzene groups, namely, (S)‐(?)‐3‐methyl‐3‐{4‐[4‐(n‐butyloxy)phenylazophenyl]carbonyl}oxy‐1‐propyne ( 1 ), (S)‐(?)‐3‐methyl‐3‐{4‐[4‐(n‐hexyloxy)phenylazophenyl]carbonyl}oxy‐1‐propyne ( 2 ), and (S)‐(?)‐3‐methyl‐3‐{4‐[4‐(n‐octyloxy)phenylazophenyl]carbonyl}oxy‐1‐propyne ( 3 ) were synthesized and polymerized with Rh⁺(nbd)[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃] (nbd, norbornadiene) as a catalyst to afford the corresponding poly(1‐methyloropargyl ester)s with moderate molecular weights (M_n = 24,000–31,300) in good yields (79–84%). Polymers were soluble in common organic solvents including toluene, CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, THF, and DMSO, whereas insoluble in diethyl ether, n‐hexane, and methanol. Large optical rotations and strong CD signals demonstrated that all the polymers take a helical structure with a predominantly one‐handed screw sense. The helical structure of the polymers changed with the addition of MeOH and heat. The trans‐azobenzene of the polymer side chains isomerized into cis on UV irradiation, which was accompanied with drastic helical conformational changes of the polymer backbone. The cis‐azobenzene moiety reisomerized into trans on visible‐light irradiation, which induced the recovery of chiral geometry of azobenzene moieties in the side chain. Conformational analysis revealed that the polymers form a tightly twisted right‐handed helical structure with a dihedral angle of 70° at the single bond of the main chain. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4749–4761, 2009     

Carbon‐bridged Oligo(phenylenevinylene)s as Light‐harvesting Antenna for Porphyrins

The efficacy of carbon‐bridged oligo(phenylenevinylenes)s (COPVs) as light‐harvesting antenna for porphyrins is demonstrated using a series of 5,15‐di‐COPVn‐substituted free‐base and zinc porphyrins, COPVn‐MP‐COPVn (n=1–3, M=H₂, Zn). These molecules were synthesized by Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of COPVn‐Bpin and Br‐H₂P‐Br . The absorption spectra of these compounds in solution show a significant expansion of the Soret band region together with a bathochromic shift of the Q band, suggesting a significant interaction between these chromophores in the ground state. The photoluminescence quantum yield of the porphyrin‐COPV conjugates is enhanced up to four times relative to the parent porphyrins. Theoretical calculations also indicated interactions between these chromophores in the HOMO, which suggests that the light‐harvesting ability stems from the expansion of the π‐electron‐conjugation system.     

Soluble Polystyrenes Functionalized by Triorgano[(1‐oxoalkyl)oxy]stannanes (=Triorganotin Carboxylates): Synthesis,Structure, and Anion‐Recognition Characteristics

Polystyrene copolymers of the type ( P −H)_1−x( P −(CH₂)_n−COOSnR₃)_x containing [(1‐oxoalkyl)oxy]triphenylstannane or tributyl[(1‐oxoalkyl)oxy]stannanes as side chains ( P −H=styrene; P −(CH₂)_n−COOSnR₃ =para‐substituted styrene‐like monomeric unit with R=Ph (x=0.1), Bu (x=0.5); n=2–4) were investigated. The tributyl[(1‐oxoalkyl)oxy]stannane copolymer was prepared by direct conversion of the corresponding copolymeric methyl esters with hexabutyldistannoxane. By contrast, the [(1‐oxoalkyl)oxy]triphenylstannane copolymer could be prepared only by a procedure involving two reaction steps consisting of a preliminary hydrolysis of the related methyl ester ( P −H)_1‐x( P −(CH₂)_n−COOMe)_x followed by functionalization of the corresponding poly(carboxylic acid) ( P −H)_1‐x( P −(CH_2n−COOH)_x with hydroxytriphenylstannane. Attempts to directly convert the methyl ester with hydroxytriphenylstannane or hexaphenyldistannoxane led to the formation of uncompletely functionalized product. The structure of the stannane‐functionalized polymers was investigated in solution and solid state by NMR, IR, and thermal analysis. The tributylstannane and triphenylstannane copolymers were assessed as chloride‐selective anion carriers in polymeric‐liquid‐membrane potentiometric ion‐selective electrodes.     

High elasticity,strength, and biocompatible amphiphilic hydrogel via click chemistry and ferric ion coordination

An amphiphilic interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel was designed and synthesized using click chemistry and ferric ion coordination. The first polymer network was formed through the reaction of azide‐modified PEG (N₃‐PEG_n‐N₃) and alkynyl‐pendant linear PPG derivatives ((PPG_m(C≡CH))_n) through click chemistry and mixed with poly(ethylene glycol‐dopamine) macromolecules. The second polymer network was formed through ferric ion coordination with poly(ethylene glycol‐dopamine). Interpenetrating polymer networks give the hydrogel unique amphiphilic properties and higher mechanical strength and thermal stability. Swelling ratio and degradation rate could be adjusted by controlling the ratio of poly(ethylene glycol‐dopamine) in the hydrogel network. Given that in vivo subcutaneous implantation revealed no infection and no obvious abnormalities, the hydrogel exhibits high biocompatibility. The feature indicates that these hydrogels have a promising application in the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intramolecular Oxidative O‐Demethylation of an Oxoferryl Porphyrin Complexed with a Per‐O‐methylated β‐Cyclodextrin Dimer

The intramolecular oxidation of ROCH₃ to ROCH₂OH, where the latter compound spontaneously decomposed to ROH and HCHO, was observed during the reaction of the supramolecular complex (met‐hemoCD3) with cumene hydroperoxide in aqueous solution. Met‐hemoCD3 is composed of meso‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(III) (Fe^IIITPPS) and a per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer having an ‐OCH₂PyCH₂O‐ linker (Py=pyridine‐3,5‐diyl). The O=Fe^IVTPPS complex was formed by the reaction of met‐hemoCD3 with cumene hydroperoxide, and isolated by gel‐filtration chromatography. Although the isolated O=Fe^IVTPPS complex in the cyclodextrin cage was stable in aqueous solution at 25 °C, it was gradually converted to Fe^IITPPS (t_1/2=7.6 h). This conversion was accompanied by oxidative O‐demethylation of an OCH₃ group in the cyclodextrin dimer. The results indicated that hydrogen abstraction by O=Fe^IVTPPS from ROCH₃ yields HO‐Fe^IIITPPS and ROCH₂^.. This was followed by radical coupling to afford Fe^IITPPS and ROCH₂OH. The hemiacetal (ROCH₂OH) immediately decomposed to ROH and HCHO. This study revealed the ability of oxoferryl porphyrin to induce two‐electron oxidation.     

Redox‐Driven Symmetry Change for Terbium(III) Bis(porphyrinato) Double‐Decker Complexes by the Azimuthal Rotation of the Porphyrin Macrocycles

Molecular structures for three oxidation forms (anion, radical, and cation) of terbium(III) bis(porphyrinato) double‐decker complexes have been systematically studied. We found that the redox state controls the azimuthal rotation angle (φ) between the two porphyrin macrocycles. For [Tb^III(tpp)₂]ⁿ (tpp: tetraphenylporphyrinato, n=?1, 0, and +1), φ decreases at each stage of the oxidation process. The decrease in φ is due to the higher steric repulsion between the phenyl rings on the porphyrin macrocycle and the β hydrogen atoms on the other porphyrin macrocycle, which results from the shorter interfacial distance between the two porphyrin macrocycles. Conversely, φ=45° for both [Tb^III(oep)₂]^?1 and [Tb^III(oep)₂]⁰ (oep: octaethylporphyrinato), but φ=36° for [Tb^III(oep)₂]⁺¹. Theoretical calculations suggest that the smaller azimuthal rotation angle of the cation form is due to the electronic interaction in the doubly oxidized ligand system.     

One‐Dimensional Polymers Based on Silver(I) Cations and Organometallic cyclo‐P3 Ligand Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of the first supramolecular aggregates incorporating the organometallic cyclo‐P₃ ligand complexes [Cp^RMo(CO)₂(η³‐P₃)] (Cp^R=Cp (C₅H₅; 1a ), Cp* (C₅(CH₃)₅; 1b )) as linking units is described. The reaction of the Cp derivative 1a with AgX (X=CF₃SO₃, Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄) yields the one‐dimensional (1D) coordination polymers [Ag{CpMo(CO)₂(μ,η³:η¹:η¹‐P₃)}₂]_n[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]_n ( 2 ) and [Ag{CpMo(CO)₂(μ,η³:η¹:η¹‐P₃)}₃]_n[X]_n (X=CF₃SO₃ ( 3a ), Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄ ( 3b )). The solid‐state structures of these polymers were revealed by X‐ray crystallography and shown to comprise polycationic chains well‐separated from the weakly coordinating anions. If AgCF₃SO₃ is used, polymer 3a is obtained regardless of reactant stoichiometry whereas in the case of Ag[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄], reactant stoichiometry plays a decisive role in determining the structure and composition of the resulting product. Moreover, polymers 3a, b are the first examples of homoleptic silver complexes in which Ag^I centers are found octahedrally coordinated to six phosphorus atoms. The Cp* derivative 1b reacts with Ag[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄] to yield the 1D polymer [Ag{Cp*Mo(CO)₂(μ,η³:η²:η¹‐P₃)}₂]_n[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]_n ( 4 ), the crystal structure of which differs from that of polymer 2 in the coordination mode of the cyclo‐P₃ ligands: in 2 , the Ag⁺ cations are bridged by the cyclo‐P₃ ligands in a η¹:η¹ (edge bridging) fashion whereas in 4 , they are bridged exclusively in a η²:η¹ mode (face bridging). Thus, one third of the phosphorus atoms in 2 are not coordinated to silver while in 4 , all phosphorus atoms are engaged in coordination with silver. Comprehensive spectroscopic and analytical measurements revealed that the polymers 2 , 3a , b , and 4 depolymerize extensively upon dissolution and display dynamic behavior in solution, as evidenced in particular by variable temperature ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Solid‐state ³¹P magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR measurements, performed on the polymers 2 , 3b , and 4 , demonstrated that the polymers 2 and 3b also display dynamic behavior in the solid state at room temperature. The X‐ray crystallographic characterisation of 1b is also reported.     

A one‐dimensional manganese(III)–porphyrin coordination polymer: crystal structure and photophysical properties

A novel manganese(III)–porphyrin complex, namely, catena‐poly[[chloridomanganese(III)]‐μ₂‐5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐21H,23H‐porphinato(2?)‐κ⁵N²¹,N²²,N²³,N²⁴:N⁵], [MnCl(C₄₀H₂₄N₈)]_n, 1 , was prepared by the hydrothermal reaction of manganese chloride with 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐21H,23H‐porphine. The crystal structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The porphyrin macrocycle exhibits a saddle‐like distortion geometry. The Mn^III atom has a six‐coordination geometry. Each porphyrin unit links to two neighbouring units to yield a one‐dimensional coordination polymer. These chains are further interlinked by hydrogen bonds to form a two‐dimensional network. The complex shows red photoluminescence emission bands in ethanol solution, which can be attributed to ligand‐to‐ligand charge transfer (LLCT) accompanied by partial metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT), as revealed by TDDFT calculations.     

Self‐Assembly of Anionic Porphyrins and Alkaline or Alkaline Earth Metal Ions Mediated by Cucurbit[7,8]uril

Nanoscaled coordination polymers based on biologically prevalent ions have potential applications in drug delivery and biomedical imaging. Herein, coordination polymer nanoparticles of anionic porphyrins, including meso‐tetra(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐porphyrin (H₂TCPP^4?) and meso‐tetra(4‐sulfonatophenyl)‐porphyrin (H₂TPPS^4?), and alkaline or alkaline earth metal cations, such as K⁺ and Ca²⁺, were constructed in aqueous solution in the presence of cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) or cucurbit[8]uril (CB8). UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were applied to explore the assembly and particle formation of porphyrin anions and metal cations mediated by CBn. The particle size depends on the kinds of CBn and metal cations and their concentrations. The uptake of H₂TPPS^4? particles by tumor cells (A549 cells) was found to be more efficient than H₂TPPS^4? at 37 °C, showing the application potential of such assembled particles in biology and medicine.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Redox Properties,and Photodynamics of Donor–Acceptor Nanohybrids Composed of Size‐Controlled Cup‐Shaped Nanocarbons and Porphyrins

Cup‐shaped nanocarbons (CNC) generated by the electron‐transfer reduction of cup‐stacked carbon nanotubes have been functionalized with porphyrins (H₂P) as light‐capturing chromophores. The resulting donor–acceptor nanohybrid has been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman and IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The weight of the porphyrins attached to the cup‐shaped nanocarbons was determined as 20 % by TGA and elemental analysis. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum of CNC? (H₂P)_n in DMF agrees well with that obtained by the superposition of reference porphyrin (ref‐H₂P) and cup‐shaped nanocarbons. The photoexcitation of the CNC? (H₂P)_n nanohybrid results in formation of the charge‐separated (CS) state to attain the longest CS lifetime (0.64±0.01 ms) ever reported for donor–acceptor nanohybrids, which may arise from efficient electron migration following the charge separation. The formation of a radical ion pair was detected directly by electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements under photoirradiation of CNC? (H₂P)_n with a high‐pressure mercury lamp in frozen DMF at 153 K. The observed ESR signal at g=2.0044 agrees with that of ref‐H₂P^.+ produced by one‐electron oxidation with [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺ in deaerated CHCl₃, indicating the formation of H₂P^.+. The electron‐acceptor ability of the reference CNC compound (ref‐CNC) was also examined by the electron‐transfer reduction of ref‐CNC by a series of semiquinone radical anions.     

A novel route to 4‐oxy/thio substituted‐1H‐pyrazol‐5(4H)‐ones via efficient cross‐Claisen condensation

α‐Oxy/thio substituted β‐keto esters were synthesized through an efficient cross‐Claisen condensation of oxy/thio substituted acetic acid ethyl esters with acid chlorides, which in turn converted in situ into 4‐oxy/thio substituted‐1H‐pyrazol‐5(4H)‐ones by the addition of hydrazine and its derivatives. This method has been found to be extremely fast, general, and useful toward the synthesis of inaccessible pyrazolones and synthetically demanding 4‐oxy/thio substituted pyrazolones. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Regulation of α‐Chymotrypsin Catalysis by Ferric Porphyrins and Cyclodextrins

Positively charged α‐chymotrypsin (ChT) formed a 1:1 complex with negatively charged 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato iron(III) (FeTPPS) in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 through electrostatic interaction. In spite of the large binding constant (K=4.8×10⁵ M ^?1), FeTPPS could not completely inhibit the catalysis of ChT in the hydrolysis of the model substrate, N‐succinyl‐L ‐phenylalanine p‐nitroanilide (SPNA). The degree of inhibition (60 %) was saturated at 1.6 equivalents of FeTPPS, which indicates that covering of the active site of ChT by FeTPPS was insufficient. The enzymatic activity lowered by FeTPPS was entirely recovered for the freshly prepared sample when the porphyrin on the protein surface was detached by per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin (TMe‐β‐CD), which formed a stable 1:2 inclusion complex with FeTPPS (K₁=1.26×10⁶ M ^?1, K₂=6.3×10⁴ M ^?1). FeTPPS gradually induced irreversible denaturation of ChT, and the denatured ChT further lost its catalytic ability. No repairing effect of TMe‐β‐CD was observed with irreversibly denatured ChT. A new reversible inhibitor, 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis[4‐(3,5‐dicarboxyphenylmethoxy)phenyl]porphyrinato iron(III) (FeP8M), was then designed, and its inhibitory behavior was examined. FeP8M formed very stable 1:1 and 1:2 FeP8M/ChT complexes with ChT, the K₁ and K₂ values being 2.0×10⁸ and 1.0×10⁶ M ^?1, respectively. FeP8M effectively inhibited the ChT‐catalyzed hydrolysis of SPNA (maximum degree of inhibition=85 %), and the activity of ChT was recovered by per‐O‐methylated γ‐cyclodextrin. No irreversible denaturation of ChT occurred upon binding with FeP8M. The kinetic data support the observation that, for nonincubated samples, both inhibitors did not cause significant conformational change in ChT and inhibited the ChT activity by covering the active site of the enzyme.     

Four (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐alkoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐trienes

The crystal structures of the four E,Z,E isomers of 1‐(4‐alk­oxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, namely (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐methoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₁₉H₁₇NO₃, (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐ethoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₀H₁₉NO₃, (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐n‐propoxyphen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₁H₂₁NO₃, and (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐n‐butoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₂H₂₃NO₃, have been determined. Inter­molecular N⋯O dipole inter­actions between the nitro groups are observed for the meth­oxy derivative, while for the eth­oxy derivative, two adjacent mol­ecules are linked at both ends through N⋯O dipole–dipole inter­actions between the N atom of the nitro group and the O atom of the eth­oxy group to form a supra­molecular ring‐like structure. In the crystal structures of the n‐prop­oxy and n‐but­oxy derivatives, the shortest inter­molecular distances are those between the two O atoms of the alk­oxy groups. Thus, the nearest two mol­ecules form an S‐shaped supra­molecular dimer in these crystal structures.     

Polymerization of n-Octylallene with Rare Earth Catalyst Composed of Ln(P204)3/Al(i-Bu)3

Polymerization of n‐octylallene was successfully carried out using a conventional binary rare earth catalytic system composed of rare earth tris(2‐ethylhexylphosphonate) (Ln(P₂₀₄)₃) and tri‐isobutyl aluminum (Al(i‐Bu)₃) for the first time. The effects of catalyst, solvent, reaction time and temperature on the polymerization of n‐octylallene were studied. The resulting poly(n‐octylallene) has weight‐average molecular weight of 11000, molecular weight distribution of 1.4 and 96% yield under the moderate reaction conditions: [Al]/[Y] =50 (molar ratio), [n‐octylallene]/[Y] =100 (molar ratio), polymerized at 80°C for 20 h in bulk. The poly(n‐octylallene) obtained consisted of 1,2‐ and 2,3‐polymerized units, and was characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR and GPC. Further investigation shows that the polymerization of n‐octylallene has some living polymerization characteristics, preparing the polymer with controlled molecular weight and narrower molecular weight distribution.     

Synthesis and properties of photoalignable aromatic polyesters containing phenylenediacrylate units in their backbones and n‐alkyl moieties in their side groups

A series of poly[oxy(4‐n‐alkyl‐3,5‐benzoate)oxy‐1,4‐phenylenediacryloyl]s (PPDA‐CnBZ polymers) with high molecular weights was synthesized. These polymers exhibit excellent solubility in some common organic solvents and produce good quality films using conventional spin‐casting and drying processes. The polymers are thermally stable up to 357–362 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere; their glass transition temperatures are greater than 121 °C. The photoreactions and photoalignments of the polymers were investigated using ultraviolet‐visible and infrared spectroscopy, and their liquid crystal (LC) alignment properties were examined. The phenylenediacrylate (PDA) chromophores in the polyesters were found to mainly undergo photocyclization upon ultraviolet light irradiation. Irradiation of the polyester films with linearly polarized ultraviolet light (LPUVL) induces preferential orientation of the polymer main chains, while the unreacted PDA chromophores are aligned along the direction perpendicular to the electric vector of the LPUVL. All the films irradiated with LPUVL were found to align LCs in a direction perpendicular to the electric vector of the LPUVL. Moreover, these LC alignments persisted even on irradiated films annealed at temperatures up to 210 °C, which is much higher than the glass transition temperatures of the polyesters. These LC alignment characteristics are due to the anisotropic interactions of the LC molecules with the oriented polymer chains and with the unreacted PDA chromophores. LC alignments on the polyester film surfaces have homeotropic to homogeneous characteristics, depending on the length of the n‐alkyl side group, providing strong evidence that the n‐alkyl side groups of the polyesters play a critical role in determining the pretilt angles of the LCs. The LC pretilt angles were also found to be influenced by the thermal annealing history of the irradiated films. In summary, the excellent properties of the PPDA‐CnBZ polymers make them promising candidate materials for use as LC alignment layers in advanced LC display devices. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1322–1334, 2004     

First Copper(I) and Silver(I) Complexes Containing Phosphanylphosphido Ligands

Three new complexes with phosphanylphosphido ligands, [Cu₄{μ₂‐P(SiMe₃)‐PtBu}₄] ( 1 ), [Ag₄{μ₂‐P(SiMe₃)‐PtBu₂}₄] ( 2 ) and [Cu{η¹‐P(SiMe₃)‐PiPr₂}₂]^–[Li(Diglyme)₂]⁺ ( 3 ) were synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 were obtained in the reactions of lithium derivative of diphosphane tBu₂P‐P(SiMe₃)Li · 2.7THF with CuCl and [iBu₃PAgCl]₄, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the complexes 1 and 2 present macrocyclic, tetrameric form with Cu₄P₄ and Ag₄P₄ core. Complex 3 was prepared in the reaction of CuCl with a different derivative of lithiated diphosphane iPr₂P‐P(SiMe₃)Li · 2(Diglyme). Surprisingly, the X‐ray analysis of 3 revealed that in this reaction instead of the tetramer the monomeric form, ionic complex [Cu{η¹‐P(SiMe₃)‐PiPr₂}₂]^–[Li(Diglyme)₂]⁺ was formed.     

Nanostructured polymetallaynes of controlled length: Synthesis and characterization of oligomers and polymers from 1,1′‐bis‐(ethynyl)4,4′‐biphenyl bridging Pt(II) or Pd(II) centers

The reactivity of square planar palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes in trans or cis configuration, namely trans or cis‐[dichlorobis(tributylphosphine)platinum(II)] and trans‐[dichlorobis(tributylphosphine)palladium(II)] with 1,1′‐bis(ethynyl) 4,4′‐biphenyl, DEBP, leading to π‐conjugated organometallic oligomeric and polymeric metallaynes, was investigated by a systematic variation of the reaction conditions. The formation of polymers and oligomers with defined chain length [? M(PBu₃)₂ (C?C? C₆H₄? C₆H₄? C?C? )]_n (n = 3–10 for the oligomers, n = 20–50 for the polymers) depends on the configuration of the precursor Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes, the presence/absence of the catalyst CuI, and the reaction time. A series of model reactions monitored by XPS, GPC, and NMR ³¹P spectroscopy showed the route to modulate the chain growth. As expected, the nature of the transition metal (Pt or Pd) and the molecular weight of the polymers markedly influence the photophysical characteristics of the polymetallaynes, such as optical absorption and emission behavior. Polymetallaynes with nanostructured morphology could be obtained by a simple casting procedure of polymer solutions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3311–3329, 2007