Electrochemical functionalization of carbon surfaces by aromatic azide or alkyne molecules: a versatile platform for click chemistry

The electrochemical reduction of phenylazide or phenylacetylene diazonium salts leads to the grafting of azido or ethynyl groups onto the surface of carbon electrodes. In the presence of copper(I) catalyst, these azide- or alkyne-modified surfaces react efficiently and rapidly with compounds bearing an acetylene or azide function, thus forming a covalent 1,2,3-triazole linkage by means of click chemistry. This was illustrated with the surface coupling of ferrocenes functionalized with an ethynyl or azido group and the biomolecule biotin terminated by an acetylene group.     

Layer by Layer Electrode Surface Functionalisation Using Carbon Nanotubes,Electrochemical Grafting of Azide‐Alkyne Functions and Click Chemistry

Ferrocene was covalently bonded to a layer of adsorbed single‐walled carbon nanotubes on a glassy carbon electrode surface using electrochemical grafting and click chemistry. Grafting of the 4‐azidobenzenediazonium salt onto the surface was accomplished by electrochemical reduction. The surface‐bound azide groups, with the use of a copper(I) catalyst, were reacted with ethynylferrocene to form covalent 1,2,3‐triazole bonds by click chemistry. This layer by layer construction of the electrode surface results in stable electrodes by combining good electrical conductivity and increased surface area of the nanotubes with the versatility of the Sharpless click reaction.     

Click-chemistry for surface modification of monodisperse-macroporous particles

In this study, click chemistry was proposed as a tool for tuning the surface hydrophilicity of monodisperse-macroporous particles in micron-size range. The monodisperse-porous particles carrying hydrophobic or hydrophilic molecular brushes on their surfaces were obtained by the proposed modification. Hydrophilic poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate), poly(GMA-co-EDM) particles were hydrophobized by the covalent attachment of poly(octadecyl acrylate-co-propargyl acrylate), poly(ODA-co-PA) copolymer onto the particle surface via triazole formation by click chemistry. In the second part, Hydrophobic poly(4-chloromethylstyrene-co-divinylbenzene), poly(CMS-co-DVB) particles were hydrophilized by the covalent attachment of poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA onto their surface also via triazole formation by click chemistry. The presence of PVA and poly(ODA-co-PA) copolymer on the corresponding particles was shown by FTIR-DRS. After click-coupling reactions applied for both hydrophobic poly(CMS-co-DVB) and hydrophilic poly(GMA-co-EDM) particles, the marked changes in surface polarity were shown by contact angle measurements. Protein adsorption characteristics of plain and modified particles were investigated for both materials. In the isoelectric point of albumin, the non-specific albumin adsorption decreased from 225 to 80 mg/g by grafting PVA onto the poly(CMS-co-DVB) beads. On the other hand, the non-specific albumin adsorption onto the plain poly(GMA-co-EDM) beads increased from 50 to 400 mg/g by the covalent attachment of poly(ODA-co-PA) copolymer onto the bead-surface via click chemistry. The protein adsorption behavior was efficiently regulated by the covalent attachment of appropriate molecular brushes onto the surfaces of selected particles. The results indicated that "click chemistry" was an efficient tool for controlling the polarity of monodisperse-macroporous particles.     

Indirect reduction of aryldiazonium salts onto cathodically activated platinum surfaces: formation of metal-organic structures

Platinum phases of general formula [Pt(n-), M+, MX] can be electrogenerated from cathodic polarization in dry dimethylformamide containing a supporting electrolyte, MX. The reaction of these electrogenerated Pt phases as reducing agent with aryldiazonium salts was investigated for preparing controlled metal-organic interfaces and characterizing the reactivity of the "reduced platinum phases". In a two-step process, the "reduced platinum phase" locally reacts with aryldiazonium salts, leading to the attachment of aryl groups onto the metal surface in the previously modified areas. Detailed experiments using cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) were carried out to follow the reaction in solution with the example of NaI as supporting electrolyte (MX = NaI). These studies demonstrate the irreversible attachment of aryl groups onto the platinum electrode. Comparison between the direct electroreduction of aryldiazonium compounds (4-nitrophenyl- and 4-bromophenyldiazonium) on a platinum electrode and their reaction with [Pt2-, Na+, NaI] suggests that a similar general mechanism is responsible for the grafting. However in the second case, no applied potential is required to stimulate the binding thanks to the reductive properties of [Pt2-, Na+, NaI]. Competitive reduction of the organic layer and growth of the layer were observed and analyzed as a function of the injected charge used to initially produce [Pt2-, Na+, NaI]. Similar reactions are highly probable with other MX salts owing to the redox properties observed for this type of platinum phase ([Pt(n-), M+, MX]).     

Covalent grafting of glassy carbon electrodes with diaryliodonium salts: new aspects

The applicability and versatility of the recently communicated procedure for the grafting of conducting carbon substrates by diaryliodonium salts is expanded. We have found that several types of organic arylic layers can be formed on the carbon surface and that the chemical functionalities of the thus formed layers can be varied extensively over electron withdrawing (for example, -NO2) to electron donating (for example, -OMe) groups. A comparative study involving the grafting of aryldiazonium salts reveals that, despite the two approaches being similar, iodonium salts exhibit spontaneous grafting to a significantly lower extent. Nevertheless, the grafted layer becomes less accessible to proton transport as visualized from a greater reluctance toward the reduction of surface-confined nitro groups to amino groups in acidic medium. Employment of unsymmetrical iodonium salts opens up the interesting possibility of forming organic films consisting of a mixture of two different aryl groups. Alternatively, such composite layers may be prepared by selecting iodonium and diazonium salts with comparable reduction properties. Analysis of the surfaces is carried out by means of cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ToF-SIMS (time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry). The ToF-SIMS analysis primarily serves to provide unambiguous evidence for the covalent attachment of the organic layers to the surface.     

A Directly Patternable,Click‐Active Polymer Film via Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition

Click‐active surfaces patterned at 200 nm resolution are demonstrated using the dual functional polymeric film, poly(propargyl methacrylate) (PPMA). The commercially available monomer of propargyl methacrylate (PMA) is polymerized in a single step by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). FT‐IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm retention of the click‐active acetylene functional group in the bulk and surface of the iCVD film, respectively. Treating substrates with silane coupling agents prior to deposition results in grafting of iCVD PPMA polymers onto various inorganic surfaces. This grafting technique provides the chemical and mechanical stability required for the PPMA layer to survive the subsequent wet chemical steps used for click functionalization. Successful attachment of an azido‐functionalized coumarin dye is demonstrated. Moreover, the PPMA film displays direct positive‐tone sensitivity to e‐beam irradiation, which enables e‐beam patterning without the use of a resist layer. Direct e‐beam exposure of the multifunctional PPMA iCVD layer results in a 200 nm pattern to which quantum dot nanoparticles are selectively conjugated on the substrates by click chemistry.

     

In situ studies of the adsorption kinetics of 4-nitrobenzenediazonium salt on gold

Self-assembled organic layers are an important tool for modifying surfaces in a range of applications in materials science. Covalent modification of metal surfaces with aryldiazonium cations has attracted much attention primarily because this reaction offers a route for spontaneously grafting a variety of aromatic moieties from solution with high yield. We have investigated the kinetics of this process by performing real-time, in situ nanogravimetric measurements. The spontaneous grafting of 4-nitrobenzene diazonium salts onto gold electrodes was studied via quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) from aqueous solutions of the salt at varying concentrations. The concentration dependence of the grafting rate within the first 10 min is best modeled by assuming a reversible adsorption process with free energy comparable to that reported for arylthiols self-assembled on gold. Multilayer formation was observed after extended grafting times and was found to be favored by increasing bulk concentrations of the diazonium salt. Modified gold surfaces were characterized ex situ with cyclic voltammetry, infrared reflection absorbance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Based on the experimentally determined free energy of adsorption and on the observed grafting rates, we discuss a proposed mechanism for aryldiazonium chemisorption.     

Aryl diazonium salts: a new class of coupling agents for bonding polymers, biomacromolecules and nanoparticles to surfaces

This critical review summarizes existing knowledge on the use of diazonium salts as a new generation of surface modifiers and coupling agents for binding synthetic polymers, biomacromolecules, and nanoparticles to surfaces. Polymer grafts can be directly grown at surfaces through the so-called grafting from approaches based on several polymerization methods but can also be pre-formed in solution and then grafted to surfaces through grafting onto strategies including "click" reactions. Several routes are also described for binding biomacromolecules through aryl layers in view of developing biosensors and protein arrays, while the use of aryl diazonium coupling agents is extended to the attachment of nanoparticles. Patents and industrial applications of the surface chemistry of diazonium compounds are covered. This review stresses the paramount role of aryl diazonium coupling agents in adhesion, surface and materials sciences (114 references).     

Versatility of alkyne-modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate) layers for click reactions

Functional soft interfaces are of interest for a variety of technologies. We describe three methods for preparing substrates with alkyne groups, which show versatility for "click" chemistry reactions. Two of the methods have the same root: formation of thin, covalently attached, reactive interfacial layers of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) via spin coating onto silicon wafers followed by reactive modification with either propargylamine or 5-hexynoic acid. The amine or the carboxylic acid moieties react with the epoxy groups of PGMA, creating interfacial polymer layers decorated with alkyne groups. The third method consists of using copolymers comprising glycidyl methacrylate and propargyl methacrylate (pGP). The pGP copolymers are spin coated and covalently attached on silicon wafers. For each method, we investigate the factors that control film thickness and content of alkyne groups using ellipsometry, and study the nanophase structure of the films using neutron reflectometry. Azide-terminated polymers of methacrylic acid and 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization were attached to the alkyne-modified substrates using "click" chemistry, and grafting densities in the range of 0.007-0.95 chains nm(-2) were attained. The maximum density of alkyne groups attained by functionalization of PGMA with propargylamine or 5-hexynoic acid was approximately 2 alkynes nm(-3). The alkyne content obtained by the three decorating approaches was sufficiently high that it was not the limiting factor for the click reaction of azide-capped polymers.     

A generic platform for the addressable functionalisation of electrode surfaces through self-induced "electroclick"

A novel and general strategy for the immobilisation of functional objects onto electrodes is described. The concept is based on the addition of two pendant ethynyl groups onto a bis(pyridyl)amine derivative, which acts as a molecular platform. This platform is pre-functionalised with an N(3)-tagged object of interest by Huisgen cycloaddition to one of the ethynyl groups in biphasic conditions. Hence, when complexed by Cu(II) , this molecular-object holder can be immobilised, by a "self-induced electroclick", through the second ethynyl group onto N(3)-alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers on a gold electrode. Two different functional groups, a redox innocent ((CH(2))(3)-Ph) and an electrochemical probe (ferrocene), were immobilised by following this strategy. The in situ electrochemical grafting showed, for both systems, that the kinetics of immobilisation is fast. The voltammetric characterisation of the surface-tagged functionalised copper complexes indicated that a good surface coverage was achieved and that a moderately fast electron-transfer reaction occurs. Remarkably, in the case of the redox-active ferrocenyl-immobilised system, the electrochemical response highlighted the involvement of the copper ion of the platform in the kinetics of the electron transfer to the ferrocene moiety. This platform is a promising candidate for applications in surface addressing in areas as diverse as biology and materials.     

点击化学法修饰氧化石墨烯及其在高分子中的应用研究

点击化学是一种操作简单方便、灵活高效的化学合成方法,对石墨烯的改性具有高效和活性位点可控等特点,是一种新型高效修饰石墨烯的改性法。本文结合点击化学改性石墨烯的特点及在高分子中的应用,将点击化学功能化修饰石墨烯分为共价键点击功能化和非共价键点击功能化,其中共价键结合又可细分为边缘点击功能化改性和表面点击功能化改性。本文介绍了叠氮功能改性剂的制备方法及其修饰石墨烯的点击反应原理,总结了点击功能化石墨烯及氧化石墨烯高分子复合材料的功能特性和应用前景。     

Attachment of organic layers to conductive or semiconductive surfaces by reduction of diazonium salts

Surface chemistry is the topic of this tutorial review. It describes the electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts on carbon, silicon or metals which leads to the formation of an aromatic organic layer covalently bonded to the surface. The method which permits such a modification is set forth. The proof for the existence of the organic layer is brought forward. The grafting mechanism and the covalent bonding between the surface and the aryl group are discussed. The formation of mono or multilayers depending on the experimental conditions is rationalized. Finally some examples of the possible uses of this reaction are given.     

On the interfacial chemistry of aryl diazonium compounds in polymer science

This review emphasises the role of aryl diazonium compounds as a new class of coupling agents for grafting polymer thin layers onto carbon, diamond, metals, metal oxides, alloys, semi-conductors, ceramics, and polymers. Physical and chemical methods are first reported for anchoring aryl layers to the surfaces, then the review concentrates on the modification of the above substrates by thin polymer films via a range of the “grafting from” and “grafting onto” strategies. Some applications are described which highlight the important role that diazonium salts will continue to play in the near future in the polymer and surface sciences.     

Novel Amperometric Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Horseradish Peroxidase Azide Covalently Immobilized on Ethynyl‐Modified Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode via Click Chemistry

A novel, simple and versatile protocol for covalent immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) based on the combination of diazonium salt electrografting and click chemistry has been successfully developed. The ethynyl‐terminated monolayers are obtained by diazonium salt electrografting, then, in the presence of copper (I) catalyst, the ethynyl modified surfaces reacted efficiently and rapidly with horseradish peroxidase bearing an azide function (azido‐HRP), thus forming a covalent 1,2,3‐triazole linkage by means of click chemistry. All the experimental results suggested that HRP was immobilized onto the electrode surface successfully without denaturation. Furthermore, the immobilized HRP showed a fast electrocatalytic reduction for H₂O₂. A linear range from 5.0 to 50.0 µM in a phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) with detection limit of 0.50 µM and sensitivity of 0.23 nA/µM were obtained. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant K_ct was 1.52±0.22 s^?1 and the apparent Michaelis? Menten constant was calculated to be 0.028 mM. The HRP‐functionalized electrode demonstrated a good reproducibility and long‐term stability.     

Click Chemistry with Polysaccharides

Summary: The copper‐catalyzed Huisgen reaction as a typical example of click chemistry was realized with the polysaccharide cellulose for the first time. The generality, selectivity, and the efficiency of click chemistry perfectly fit the requirements of polysaccharide modification, which is demonstrated by the introduction of triazole‐spacer bound functional groups, i.e., carboxylic ester, thiophene, and aniline moieties. Azide moieties introduced into cellulose via the tosyl derivative were simply transferred with ethynyl compounds under Cu(I) catalysis and mild and easily applicable conditions. Hydrolytically stable cellulose derivatives soluble in organic solvents, e.g., DMSO or DMF with DS up to 0.9 are obtained. The triazole substituted cellulose derivatives were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies and show no impurities or substructures resulting from side reactions.

6‐Azido‐6‐deoxy cellulose.     

Photochemical grafting and patterning of organic monolayers on indium tin oxide substrates

Covalently attached organic layers on indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces were prepared by the photochemical grafting with 1-alkenes. The surface modification was monitored with static water contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Hydrophobic methyl-terminated ITO surfaces can be obtained via the grafting of tetradec-1-ene, whereas the attachment of ω-functionalized 1-alkenes leads to functionalized ITO surfaces. The use of a C≡C-Ge(CH(3))(3) terminus allows for facile tagging of the surface with an azido group via a one-pot deprotection/click reaction, resulting in bio/electronically active interfaces. The combination of nonaggressive chemicals (alkenes), mild reaction conditions (room temperature), and a light-induced grafting that facilitates the direct patterning of organic layers makes this simple approach highly promising for the development of ITO-based (bio)electronic devices.     

Click reactions in chitosan chemistry

The review provides the first generalized and systematized information on the use of click reactions in chitosan chemistry for the preparation of novel polymers with attractive physicochemical and biological properties. The reactions of copper-catalyzed azide—alkyne cycloaddition and the click reactions of chitosan derivatives occurring in the absence of salts or metal complexes are discussed in detail. The data on the pre-click modification of chito-san (i.e., the introduction of azide function, alkyne fragment, highly dipolarophilic moieties, and thiol group into the polymer) are reviewed. Special attention is given to the application of new chitosan derivatives obtained by click modification.     

Synthesis of a novel restricted access chiral stationary phase based on atom transfer radical polymerization and click chemistry for the analysis of chiral drugs in biological matrices

A novel chiral restricted access material was synthesized via a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and click chemistry. Poly(2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol methacrylate) (pMBMA) was grafted onto porous silica gel by a surface-initiated ATRP in order to synthesize an inner layer for β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) immobilization. The azide-modified β-CD was bound to pMBMA by click chemistry. The results demonstrate that click chemistry provides an effective route for the immobilization of β-CD for chiral discrimination. A second ATRP reaction was then used to graft external poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (pGMA) layer onto the silica gel. The external hydrophilic layer was subsequently created by hydrolysis of the epoxy groups of the pGMA. This bi-layer grafted material exhibited both enantioseparation and protein exclusion. It can be used for the efficient separation of chiral compounds in biological samples with direct injection into an HPLC system.     

Polymer brushes grafted to "passivated" silicon substrates using click chemistry

We present herein a versatile method for grafting polymer brushes to passivated silicon surfaces based on the Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (click chemistry) of omega-azido polymers and alkynyl-functionalized silicon substrates. First, the "passivation" of the silicon substrates toward polymer adsorption was performed by the deposition of an alkyne functionalized self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Then, three tailor-made omega-azido linear brush precursors, i.e., PEG-N3, PMMA-N3, and PS-N3 (Mn approximately 20,000 g/mol), were grafted to alkyne-functionalized SAMs via click chemistry in tetrahydrofuran. The SAM, PEG, PMMA, and PS layers were characterized by ellipsometry, scanning probe microscopy, and water contact angle measurements. Results have shown that the grafting process follows the scaling laws developed for polymer brushes, with a significant dependence over the weight fraction of polymer in the grafting solution and the grafting time. The chemical nature of the brushes has only a weak influence on the click chemistry grafting reaction and morphologies observed, yielding polymer brushes with thickness of ca. 6 nm and grafting densities of ca. 0.2 chains/nm2. The examples developed herein have shown that this highly versatile and tunable approach can be extended to the grafting of a wide range of polymer (pseudo-) brushes to silicon substrates without changing the tethering strategy.     

Surface Functionalization of a γ-Graphyne-like Carbon Material via Click Chemistry

Surface functionalization of carbon materials is of interest in many research fields, such as electrocatalysis, interfacial engineering, and supercapacitors. As an emerging carbon material, γ-graphyne has attracted broad attention. Herein, we report that the surface functionalization of a γ-graphyne-like carbon material ( γ-G1 ) is achieved by immobilizing functional groups via the click chemistry. Texture analysis of aberration-corrected microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemistry confirm the successful surface modification of γ-G1 through a strong covalent linkage 1,2,3-triazole. The direct linkage of functional groups on γ-G1 via the click chemistry represents a general method for preparing other functional materials by using γ-graphyne-like materials as a skeleton.