Investigation of a molecular morphology effect on polyphenylazomethine dendrimers; physical properties and metal-assembling processes

A series of novel dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPA) with asymmetric morphologies was synthesized. Their physical properties, such as encapsulating effect, molecular dynamics, and metal assembly, are strongly dependent on the entire conformation of the molecules. The most important property is layer-by-layer metal assembly in the dendrimer structure from the core to the outside. Bis- and tris-substituted DPAs of the fourth generation also act as frameworks for stepwise assembly of a metal component (SnCl2), like the fully substituted symmetric DPA. However, extensive investigation of metal assembly in specific DPAs revealed that they do not follow the stepwise process. The molecular density calculated from the experimental hydrodynamic volume indicated that bis- and tris-substituted DPAs with asymmetric morphology still retain a free space similar to that of fully substituted symmetric DPA. The monosubstituted DPA, however, displayed a slightly higher density (smaller space) than the other DPAs. The experimental results suggest a bent conformation of the dendrimer in which the core moiety is folded into the dendron structure. In addition, the molecular dynamics were probed by means of the 1H NMR signals of the porphyrin core. It was demonstrated that the conformation is not fixed at room temperature in solvated DPAs, especially in monosubstituted DPA. A similar observation was for the smaller DPAs (third generations) with asymmetric morphologies. These dendrimers do not follow the stepwise complexation process. The structures of bis- and tris-substituted dendrimers which accurately follow the stepwise process are fixed. These observations provide a new insight into the finely controlled metal-assembly chemistry of dendritic macromolecules, and a rigid and fixed conformation is one of important factors for their unique properties.     

Novel phenylazomethine dendrimers: synthesis and structural properties

The novel dendrimers consisting of a pi-conjugated backbone, the dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPAs), were synthesized by the convergent method via the dehydration of aromatic ketones with aromatic amines in the presence of titanium(IV) tetrachloride. The obtained DPAs have a high solubility unlike the conventional linear polyphenylazomethines. NMR studies revealed the conformational rigidity of DPA G4. DPAs having many azomethine groups as the coordination site for metal ions are expected to be novel ligands.     

Order from disorder: Directed assembly of alkyl-π functional molecular liquids

Controlled self-assembly of π-conjugated molecules is a widely accepted approach to optimizing the performance of organic optoelectronics. In particular, directed assembly delivers precisely organized π-conjugated units in response to external stimuli. The attachment of branched alkyl chains not only modulates these assembly processes, but also isolates the π-core as observed in alkyl-π functional molecular liquids (FMLs). This review highlights recent advances in alkyl-π FMLs, their molecular design principle, and the methodologies to achieve their directed assembly by chemical additives and physical stimuli. It also presents how the disorder-to-order transition in alkyl-π FMLs leads to altered photoluminescence and other inherent benefits of these stimuli-driven assembled structures, which comprise a new paradigm in the field of stimuli-responsive soft materials and their application in soft electronics.     

Novel poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s with a phenylazomethine dendron as a metal-collecting site

Novel poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s (PPVs) with a dendritic phenylazomethine (DPA) as a metal-collecting site were synthesized via the Heck reaction by filling the coordination site of DPA moiety via complexation with rare earth metal ions.     

Control of stepwise radial complexation in dendritic polyphenylazomethines

The fourth generation of a dendritic polyphenylazomethine (DPA G4) has 2, 4, 8, and 16 imine groups in the first, second, third, and fourth shells, respectively (total, 30 imine groups). DPA G4 can trap 30 equiv of SnCl(2) molecules, because the imine group is complexed with SnCl(2) at a ratio of 1:1. During addition of 30 equiv of SnCl(2) to DPA G4, four shifts in the isosbestic point were observed in the UV-vis spectra, and the amount of SnCl(2) added in each step is in agreement with the number of imine groups in each shell of DPA G4. This result shows that the complexation of the imine groups in DPA G4 with SnCl(2) occurs stepwise in the order of the first, second, third, and fourth shells. The unique stepwise complexation was also observed in DPA G2 and G3 as two and three shifts of the isosbestic point, respectively. The stepwise complexation was supported by TEM, NMR, and a novel shell-selective reduction (SSR) method for imines. An expansion in the molecular size of DPA G4 by the complexation was revealed by molecular modeling and TEM measurements. The stepwise complexation is caused by the different basicity of the imine groups between the shells, which was supported by the chemical shifts of the peaks attributed to the imine carbons in the (13)C NMR spectra. The gradients in the basicity were controlled by the introduction of electron-withdrawing or -releasing groups to the core of the dendrimers; the core imines were complexed last in DPAs having a 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro or 2,5-dichlorophenyl core due to the low basicity of the core imines. The different complexation pattern was also clearly confirmed by the SSR method.     

Noncovalent Modification of Cycloparaphenylene by Catenane Formation Using an Active Metal Template Strategy**

The active metal template (AMT) strategy is a powerful tool for the formation of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) such as rotaxanes and catenanes, allowing the synthesis of a variety of MIMs, including π-conjugated and multicomponent macrocycles. Cycloparaphenylene (CPP) is an emerging molecule characterized by its cyclic π-conjugated structure and unique properties. Therefore, diverse modifications of CPPs are necessary for its wide application. However, most CPP modifications require early stage functionalization and the direct modification of CPPs is very limited. Herein, we report the synthesis of a catenane consisting of [9]CPP and a 2,2′-bipyridine macrocycle as a new CPP analogue that contains a reliable synthetic scaffold enabling diverse and concise post-modification. Following the AMT strategy, the [9]CPP-bipyridine catenane was successfully synthesized through Ni-mediated aryl-aryl coupling. Catalytic C−H borylation/cross-coupling and metal complexation of the bipyridine macrocycle moiety, an effective post-functionalization method, were also demonstrated with the [9]CPP-bipyridine catenane. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed that the [9]CPP-bipyridine catenane forms a tridentated complex with an Ag ion inside the CPP ring. This interaction significantly enhances the phosphorescence lifetime through improved intermolecular interactions.     

Dendritic oligothiophenes terminated with tris(alkyloxy)phenylethynyl tails: synthesis, physical properties, and self-assembly

Three-dimensional (3D) π-conjugated dendritic oligothiophenes up to a third generation have been functionalized with tris(decyloxy)phenylethynyl tails at the periphery. The first-generation compounds (3 T-p-Ph-C10 and 6 T-p-Ph-C10) were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reactions, whereas the higher generation products were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reactions in a divergent approach. The optical and electrochemical properties were investigated by UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The results revealed that the terminal tris(alkyloxy)phenylethynyl groups are conjugated to the branched oligothiophene core, yielding redshifted absorption and fluorescence spectra and reduced optical band gaps relative to the dendritic oligothiophene core. A structural study revealed a close relationship between the type of supramolecular organization and the size of the oligothiophene core. The first-generation compounds 3 T-p-Ph-C10 and 6 T-p-Ph-C10 displayed columnar phases in the bulk state, which was confirmed by two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray scattering (2D WAXS) measurements. The self-assembly into columnar stacks has mainly been attributed to phase separation between the rigid thiophene cores and the flexible side-chains assisted by minor π-stacking interactions between the conjugated dendritic oligothiophene units. The high-generation compounds, however, showed less ordered structures in the solid state.     

Reducing Capsule Based on Electron Programming: Versatile Synthesizer for Size‐Controlled Ultra‐Small Metal Clusters

Controlled reducing capsules with a specific number of reducing electrons were achieved by appropriately placed BH₃ units in the dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPAs). Using the 1:1 coordination fashion on their basic branches with radius affinity gradient, the 4th generation DPA (DPAG4) possessing four BH₃ units in the central positions was prepared as a template synthesizer for size‐controlled ultra‐small metal clusters. This was well‐demonstrated by reduction of Ag, Pt, and other metal ions resulting in monodispersed ultra‐small clusters.     

First synthesis of phenylazomethine dendrimer ligands and structural studies.

Novel dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPAs), which consist of a pi-conjugated backbone, were synthesized up to the fourth generation by the convergent method via dehydration of aromatic ketones with aromatic amines in the presence of titanium(IV) tetrachloride. The obtained dendrimers, DPA G1-4 (designated as GX, where X is the generation number), show high thermostability (Td(10%) 521 degrees C in DPA G4) and high solubility for the common solvents such as chloroform, THF, and DMSO unlike the conventional linear polyphenylazomethines, which have very low solubilities. The DPA G4 molecule was confirmed to have a spherelike structure by GPC measurement and a molecular model based on the crystal structure of DPA G2. Crystal data for DPA G2: monoclinic space group P2(1)/a, a = 25.352(4) A, b = 8.577(2) A, c = 16.151(2) A, beta = 106.25(1) degrees, V = 3371.6(10) A(3), Z = 2, D(calc) = 1.168 g/cm(3), mu(Cu Kalpha) = 0.536 cm(-1), final R = 0.089, and R(w) = 0.287. The molecular modeling reveals that a DPA G4 molecule has a spherelike structure, in which the height, width, and depth are 2.3, 2.9, and 2.5 nm, respectively. The TEM and AFM pictures show the DPA G4 molecules to have a spherelike structure (the diameter: 2.3 nm) and are regularly assembled on a plate by casting. The occupied area of one DPA G4 molecule in a monolayer on water was estimated by pi-A measurements to be 3.8-4.2 nm(2) (the calculated diameter 2.2-2.3 nm, which agreed with the TEM result). NMR studies (1H NMR at 130 degrees C and T(1) measurements) supported a conformational rigidity of DPA G4 in solution.     

Chirality induction of polyaniline derivatives through chiral complexation

Chirality induction of π-conjugated polyaniline derivatives was achieved by chiral complexation with chiral palladium(II) complexes. The crystal structure of the chiral conjugated complex with a model compound of the polyaniline, N,N-bis(4^′-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinonediimine, revealed a chiral propeller twist conformation of the π-conjugated moiety.     

Solid-state supramolecular assemblies consisting of planar charged species

Pyrrole-based π-conjugated anion-responsive molecules provided various planar anionic structures by complexation with halide anions, resulting in the formation of solid-state assemblies with planar counter cations and exhibiting various modes of charge-by-charge assembly depending on the substituents of the anion receptors.     

Photophysics of π-conjugated oligomers and polymers that contain transition metal complexes

There has been a surge of interest concerning the synthesis, optical and electronic properties of π-conjugated polymers that contain transition metal complexes. The integration of transition metal chromophores that feature metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states into a π-conjugated polymer permits easy variation of the material’s optical and electronic properties. In this review, we survey a number of recent photophysical studies that examine π-conjugated oligomer or polymer/transition metal complex hybrids. The effects of the types of π-conjugated backbone, oligomer and polymer structure, the conjugation length and coordination to a variety of metal chromophores on the photophysics of the organic-metal hybrids are discussed. The degree of interaction between the polymer (or oligomer) and metal complex based excited states dramatically modulates the observed photophysics.     

Modification and Electrochemical Properties of Poly(phenylazomethine) Derivatives

Summary: Oligo(phenylazomethine)s (OPAs) and aniline-capped OPAs (OPA's) are used as model compounds of polyphenylazomethine (PPA), and their fundamental properties and their modification methods are investigated. Cyclic voltammograms of bis(diphenylmethyleneamino)benzene (OPA2′) showed irreversible redox response in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. A selective synthesis of oligophenanthridine was achieved through the photocyclization of OPA2′ in concentrated sulfuric acid. Stepwise complexation behavior in dendritic poly(phenylazomethine)s (DPAs) was supported by the shell-selective reduction of the imines. Using the shell-selective reduction method and the terminal-modification method of the DPAs, the core and terminals of DPAs were functionalized by ferrocene units, respectively.     

π-conjugated columnar polyacetylenes prepared with Rh complex catalysts

Highly stereospecific polymerization of monosubstituted acetylenes was carried out using the Rh complex, [Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]₂ catalysts. The resulting polyacetylenes were characterized in detail by ¹HNMR, ESR, laser Raman, diffuse reflective UV, and wide angle X-ray diffraction methods. The data showed that the Rh complex were the preferred catalyst to selectively yield the corresponding cis-transoid polymers even at room temperature when alcohol, triethylamine or water was used as the polymerization solvent. Additionally, the resulting cis polyacetylenes were found to have a helical form whose polymer is amorphous or composed of pseudohexagonal structures called π-conjugated columnar as self-assembly or super structure. Further compression of the amorphous cis polymers resulted in cis to trans isomerization at room temperature under vacuum, breaking rotationally the cis C=C bonds giving π-radicals called solitons as the origin of a polymer magnet. On the other hand, the π-conjugated columnar was also found to show an extremely longer wavelength absorption compared with that of the amorphous one, although the absorption maximum was shifted to a shorter wavelength when the columnar was destroyed by the compression. Therefore, the formation of the π-conjugated columnar can be considered as a new and quite useful control method concerning color of such conjugated polymers, i.e., a new concept concerning the color of conjugated polymers.     

Phosphorescent self-assembled Pt(II) tetranuclear metallocycles

A series of rigid Pt(II) diimine diacetylide complexes and their corresponding metallocyclic derivatives were synthesized through coordination-driven self-assembly. The photophysical properties of these complexes have been studied in detail, revealing exceptionally high RT phosphorescence quantum yields and lifetimes when the excited state becomes localized on the π-conjugated bridging-ligand following intramolecular charge-transfer sensitization.     

Novel organogelators based on amine-derived hexaazatrinaphthylene

Novel C(3)-symmetrical heteroaromatic hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATNA) gelators symmetrically end-substituted with pendant aromatic and aliphatic amines were synthesized. Some of these π-conjugated structures induce self-assembly, forming fibers able to gelate solvents of different polarity at low wt% as demonstrated by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.     

Formation of Discrete Ladders and a Macroporous Xerogel Film by the Zipperlike Dimerization of Meso–Meso‐Linked Zinc(II) Porphyrin Arrays with Di(pyrid‐3‐yl)acetylene

Metal porphyrins assemble to form a supramolecular architecture with a characteristic structure and characteristic properties and functions upon complexation with appropriate ligands. However, there are few applications of these assembly processes to the construction of polymeric porphyrin arrays with useful functionalities. In this study, we found that meso–meso‐linked Zn^II porphyrin arrays underwent zipperlike dimerization upon complexation with di(pyrid‐3‐yl)acetylene (DPA) in chloroform to form discrete double‐stranded porphyrin ladders. Similarly, the assembly of poly(zinc(II) porphyrinylene) with DPA gave a thermoresponsive gel, whose three‐dimensional network structure was so strong that a macroporous xerogel film was obtained.     

Aggregation Modes of Chiral Diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole Dyes in Solution and Thin Films

The chiroptical features of chiral diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (DPP) derivatives have been only marginally investigated to date. In this regard, we have synthesized ad hoc four chiral DPP dyes, functionalized with enantiopure alkyl groups from natural sources either on the lactam moieties or on the terminal positions of the π-conjugated backbone, to promote an efficient self-assembly into chiral supramolecular structures. For each of them, the aggregation modes has been investigated by absorbance and ECD spectroscopies in conditions of solution aggregation and on thin films, considering the effects of deposition technique (drop casting vs. spin coating) and post-deposition operations (solvent and thermal annealing). The effect of the structure of lateral π-conjugated units attached to the central DPP scaffold, as well as that of the position of the alkyl chiral group, has been assessed. ECD revealed superior capability, compared to absorbance spectroscopy, to provide information on the aggregation modes and to detect the possible co-existence of multiple aggregation pathways.     

A π-Conjugated Anion-Exchange Membrane with an Ordered Ion-Conducting Channel via the McMurray Coupling Reaction

The McMurry coupling is a facile, gentle and low-cost chemical reaction for synthesizing. Here, for the first time, we employed the McMurry coupling reaction to prepare π-conjugated anion exchange membranes (AEMs). The inter-chain π-π stacking between adjacent benzene rings induces directional self-assembly aggregation and enables highly ordered ion-conductive channels. The resulting structure was characterized through UV/VIS spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, leading to high OH⁻ conductivity of 135.5 mS cm⁻¹ at 80 °C. Furthermore, the double bonds in the π-conjugated system also trigger in situ self-crosslinking of the AEMs to enhance dimensional and alkaline stability. Benefiting from this advantage, the as-obtained Cr-QPPV-2.51 AEM exhibits superior alkaline stability (95 % conductivity retention after 3000 hrs in 1 M KOH at 80 °C) and high mechanical strength of 34.8 MPa. Moreover, the fuel cell using Cr-QPPV-2.51 shows a maximum peak power density of 1.27 W cm⁻² at 80 °C.     

Ribbons, vesicles, and baskets: supramolecular assembly of a coil-plate-coil emeraldicene derivative

Concentration matters: the self-assembly of title compound 1 evolves from well-defined ribbons to vesicles to baskets, upon simply decreasing the concentration of 1 in tetrahydrofuran. Electron microscopy revealed a unique self-assembled structure: baskets are formed by curved and self-wrapped nanometer-thin ribbons. The self-assembly of π-conjugated molecule 1 enables to construct nano/micro structures with desired optoelectronic properties.