Self-assembly and characterization of a novel hydrogen-bonded nanostructure

A novel hydrogen-bonded supramolecular system of a [60]fullerene derivative with perylene bisimide was synthesized and characterized. 1H NMR spectra confirmed the existence of strong hydrogen-bonding interaction between compounds 1 and 5. Transmission electron microscopy images of 1.5 aggregates showed spherical particles having a mean diameter of 50 nm. The photocurrent response of the film was measured, and a steady and rapid anodic photocurrent response was obtained.     

Absorption spectrophotometric study of supramolecular complexation of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with 24,26-dimethoxy-25,27-dihydroxy calix[4]arene

Supramolecular interactions of 24,26-dimethoxy-25,27-dihydroxy calix[4]arene (1) with [60]- and [70]fullerenes have been studied in only chloroform and in a ternary solvent mixture comprising of chloroform, ethyl alcohol and toluene by UV-vis absorption spectrophotometric method. The experimental results are explained using the model that takes into account the interaction between electronic subsystems of 1 and fullerene. The most interesting feature is the preference of [60]fullerene over [70]fullerene for 1 in ternary solvent mixture as revealed by higher value of formation constant of [60]fullerene/1 complex. The selectivity towards [60]fullerene opens up the way toward self-assembling systems and new separation and purification methods for fullerenes.     

Molecular programming of organogelators which can accept [60]fullerene by encapsulation

New porphyrin-based gelators bearing eight hydrogen-bond-forming amide groups at their periphery were synthesized. They acted as versatile gelators for aromatic solvents. SEM and TEM observations and X-ray crystallographic analysis established that they tend to aggregate into a two-dimensional sheet-like structure utilizing the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interaction. In this structure the porphyrin-porphyrin π-π stacking interaction is not involved because of the energetically-predominant hydrogen-bonding interactions, keeping the space distance of 12.9 Å. Very interestingly, when C₆₀ was added, the morphology was transformed to a one-dimensional fibrous structure, which can enjoy a porphyrin-C₆₀-porphyrin interaction. This multicapsular structure having porphyrin-based compartments for hosting C₆₀ was further characterized by XRD, EPR of a Cu(II) analogue, and the theoretical calculation. Thus, this paper presents a new concept, ‘molecular recognition in gel’, which is effective for the weak host-guest interaction.     

Hydrogen-bond-assisted control of H versus J aggregation mode of porphyrins stacks in an organogel system

To obtain insights into a correlation relationship between the structure and the aggregation mode in an organogel system, we synthesized gelators 2a-4a bearing a porphyrin moiety as a one-dimensional aggregation unit and amide groups as peripheral hydrogen-bonding sites. Gelators 3a and 3b bearing the amide groups at the 4-position of the meso-phenyl groups are classified as versatile gelators, gelating 10 and 14 solvents, respectively, among 23 solvents tested herein. In contrast, gelators 2a and 4a bearing the amide groups at the 3,5-positions and 3-position, respectively, are classified as poor gelators. Examination by spectroscopic methods (UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, XRD, etc.) revealed that in the organogel phase porphyrins in 3a adopt the H aggregation mode whereas those in 2a and 4a adopt the J aggregation mode. X-ray analysis of the single crystals established that in fact 3b features a columnar stack of porphyrin moieties that can be classified as the H-aggregate, whereas 2a results in a two-dimensional a-b plane, in which porphyrin moieties are arranged in the J-aggregate. Very interestingly, the difference in the H versus J aggregation mode is well-reflected by the difference in the macroscopic aggregate morphology observed by SEM: 3a + cyclohexane gel results in a one-dimensionally aggregated fibrillar structure, whereas 2a + cyclohexane gel results in a two-dimensional sheetlike structure. These findings indicate that the H versus J aggregation mode of porphyrin stacks can be controlled by the peripheral hydrogen-bonding interactions and the microscopic hydrogen-bonding network structure is well-reflected by the macroscopic SEM-observed structure.     

Redox Properties of Isozazolo[60]fullerenes with Regard to Substituents and Molecular Structure

Abstract

A series of isoxazolo[60]fullerene derivatives 1(a-k), 5 and 6(l-n) have been synthesized by [2+3]cycloadditions of the corresponding nitriloxides to C₆₀. The phenyl-, 1,4- and 1,2-biphenyl substituents are substituted with electron donor groups in different distances and orientations in order to determine their influence on the redox properties of these fullerene derivatives. The redox- behavior was measured by cyclic voltammetry. In compounds 1b-g, 5l-n and 6l-n no significant shift relative to the reference compound la could be found. The insertion of an o-phenylene spacer between the isoxazoline ring and the phenyl ring substituted by donor groups in derivatives lh-k causes a shift of the first reduction potential by 30 mV (1h, 1k) and 60 mV (1i) towards more negative values compared to the reference 1a. Because of the o-phenylene spacer the plane of the donor-phenyl ring is forced into a close and parallel orientation to surface of the fullerene suitable for through-space interaction. This geometry was proven by X-ray structure determination of 1k.     

Reaction of [60]fullerene with free radicals generated from active methylene compounds by manganese(III) acetate dihydrate

The reaction of [60]fullerene with dimethyl malonate and diethyl malonate in the presence of manganese(III) acetate dihydrate (Mn(OAc)3.2H2O) for 20 min afforded singly bonded [60]fullerene dimers 1a and 1b in a 1,4-addition pattern. When the reaction time was extended to 1 h, 1,4-bisadducts 2a and 2b were obtained. Unsymmetrical 1,4-adduct 5 and C2 symmetrical 1,16-bisadduct 6 were obtained when diethyl bromomalonate was used as the active methylene compound. Reaction of [60]fullerene with malononitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate with the aid of Mn(OAc)3.2H2O produced methanofullerenes 7 and 8. It is proposed that all these products were formed the addition of free radicals from the active methylene compounds generated by Mn(OAc)3.2H2O.     

Porphyrin gels reinforced by sol-gel reaction via the organogel phase

Porphyrins bearing four urea-linked dodecyl groups (3a) or four urea-linked triethoxysilylpropyl groups (3TEOS) at their peripheral positions were synthesized. 3a tends to assemble into a sheetlike two-dimensional structure due to the predominant hydrogen-bonding interaction among the urea groups and acts as a moderate gelator of organic solvents. On the other hand, its Cu(II) compelx (3a.Cu) tends to assemble into a fibrous one-dimensional structure due to the predominant porphyrin-porphyrin pi-pi stacking interaction and acts as an excellent gelator of many organic solvents. 3TEOS and 3TEOS.Cu, which also act as gelators, afforded similar superstructures as those of 3a and 3a.Cu, respectively, and as evidenced by SEM and TEM observations and XRD measurements, the original superstructures could be precisely immobilized by in situ sol-gel polycondensation of the triethoxysilyl groups. The TEM images of 3a gels and 3TEOS gels after sol-gel polycondensation showed a fine striped structure, the periodical distance of which was either 2 or 4 nm. X-ray crystallographic analysis of a single crystal obtained from a reference porphyrin bearing four urea-linked butyl groups revealed that there are two different porphyrin-stacked columns in the crystal and both the 2 nm distance and the 4 nm distance can appear, depending on the observation tilting angle. The hybrid gel prepared from 3TEOS.Cu by sol-gel polycondensation showed unique physicochemical properties such as a high sol-gel phase-transition temperature (>160 degrees C), sufficient elasticity, high mechanical strength, etc. Thus, the present study has established new concepts for molecular design of porphyrin-based gelators on the basis of cooperative and/or competitive actions of hydrogen-bonding and pi-pi stacking interactions and for immobilization of their superstructures leading to development of new functional organic/inorganic hybrid materials.     

Dimeric capsules with a nanoscale cavity for [60]fullerene encapsulation

The acid-assisted and guest-induced formation of superstructures was achieved by the addition of haloacetic acids to a toluene solution of the resorcin[4]arene derivatives 1 and [60]fullerenes. The formation of dimeric superstructures that encapsulated a nanosized guest molecule was observed when appropriate acids, such as haloacetic acids, and suitable guest molecules, such as [60]fullerenes, were co-added to a toluene solution of cavitand 1 that has four pyridine units, whereas a complicated equilibrium between several species was detected without [60]fullerenes, and the formation of discrete superstructures was not monitored in the absence of haloacetic acids. The spectroscopic data indicate that the formed [60]fullerene-encapsulated complexes have the structure of 2. These complexes are self-assembled through pyridinium-anion-pyridinium interactions and by pi-pi and van der Waals interactions. The rate of decomplexation of 2 is estimated to be 3.1 s(-1) from a 2D exchange NMR spectrum. The [60]fullerene encapsulation process can be controlled by modifying the amounts of acids used, changing the temperature of the system, altering the ratio of acid/base, and even through varying the solvent polarity. Moreover, the fluorescence spectra show band-narrowing spectral changes and a retardation of the relaxation characteristics of isolated and isotropic [60]fullerenes, which indicates that the environmental change around [60]fullerene is induced upon its encapsulation.     

Regioselective synthesis of [60]fullerene eta 5-indenide R3C60- and eta 5-cyclopentadienide R5C60- bearing different R groups

Treatment of a 1,7-diorgano[60]fullerene with Grignard reagents or organocopper reagents affords a [60]fullerene indenide or a [60]fullerene cyclopentadienide regioselectively in good to excellent yields. These reactions gave an insight into the reaction mechanism of the organocopper penta-addition reaction of [60]fullerene, giving [60]fullerene cyclopentadienide in quantitative yield.     

Self-organisation of dodeca-dendronized fullerene into supramolecular discs and helical columns containing a nanowire-like core

Twelve chiral and achiral self-assembling dendrons have been grafted onto a [60]fullerene hexa-adduct core by copper-catalyzed alkyne azide “click” cycloaddition. The structure adopted by these compounds was determined by the self-assembling peripheral dendrons. These twelve dendrons mediate the self-organisation of the dendronized [60]fullerene into a disc-shaped structure containing the [60]fullerene in the centre. The fullerene-containing discs self-organise into helical supramolecular columns with a fullerene nanowire-like core, forming a 2D columnar hexagonal periodic array. These unprecedented supramolecular structures and their assemblies are expected to provide new developments in chiral complex molecular systems and their application to organic electronics and solar cells.     

Selective adsorption from methanol/water mixtures by C60 fullerene nanospheres

Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the selective adsorption of methanol/water mixtures on the surface of [60] fullerene nanospheres. C₆₀ molecules were dispersed in methanol/water mixtures with different methanol molar fractions ranging between 1 and 0.5. The Raman active pentagon pinch mode shifted significantly (±4 cm⁻¹) as the mixture composition was changed. The shift in the Raman mode was sinusoidal in nature indicating that methanol then water is adsorbed preferentially on the fullerene surface at different mixture compositions. The observed behavior is attributed to structure forming effects of alcohol/water mixtures and the shape and size effect of fullerene surface.     

Synthesis of Tetrahydrothiopyrano[2,3‐b]indole [60]Fullerene Derivatives via Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction of C60 and α,β‐Unsaturated Indole‐2‐thiones

Hetero‐Diels–Alder reactions of [60]fullerene with α,β‐unsaturated thio‐oxindoles ( 3a , 3b , 3c ), prepared from thio‐oxindole 1 and heteroaromatic aldehydes ( 2a , 2b , 2c ), to generate tetrahydrothiopyrano[2,3‐b ]indole [60]fullerene cycloadducts ( 5a , 5b , 5c ) under thermal or microwave irradiation were described. The yields were improved, and the reaction time was decreased by conducting the reaction under microwave irradiation.     

Face-to-face C6F5-[60]fullerene interaction for ordering fullerene molecules and application to thin-film organic photovoltaics

Treatment of [60]fullerene with potassium methylnaphthalenide and excess C(6)F(5)CH(2)Br afforded 1,4-bis(pentafluorobenzyl)[60]fullerene, the study of which showed that there is a face-to-face interaction between [60]fullerene and a perfluoro aromatic ring, allowing the molecule to be utilized for high-performance organic photovoltaic devices.     

Synthesis of [59]fullerenones through peroxide-mediated stepwise cleavage of fullerene skeleton bonds and X-ray structures of their water-encapsulated open-cage complexes

Fullerene skeleton modification has been investigated through selective cleavage of the fullerene carbon-carbon bonds under mild conditions. Several cage-opened fullerene derivatives including three [59]fullerenones with an 18-membered-ring orifice and one [59]fullerenone with a 19-membered-ring orifice have been prepared starting from the fullerene mixed peroxide 1, C60(OOtBu)6. The prepositioned tert-butyl peroxy groups in 1 serve as excellent oxygen sources for formation of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. The cage-opening reactions were initiated by photoinduced homolysis of the tBu-O bond, followed by sequential ring expansion steps. A key step of the ring expansion reactions is the oxidation of adjacent fullerene hydroxyl and amino groups by diacetoxyliodobenzene (DIB). Aminolysis of a cage-opened fullerene derivative containing an anhydride moiety resulted in multiple bond cleavage in one step. A domino mechanism was proposed for this reaction. Decarboxylation led to elimination of one carbon atom from the C60 cage and formation of [59]fullerenones. The cage-opened [59]fullerenones were found to encapsulate water under mild conditions. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data. Single-crystal structures were also obtained for five skeleton-modified derivatives including two water-encapsulated fulleroids.     

Enhanced photovoltaic response in hydrogen-bonded all-organic devices

Straightforward synthetic methodologies are reported for the functionalization of oligothiophenes with hydrogen-bonding motifs. Codeposition from a solution of symmetric melamine-terminated electron-donor oligomers with a complementary barbiturate-labeled electron-acceptor fullerene resulted in homogeneous films. Incorporation into photovoltaic devices gave a 2.5-fold enhancement in light energy to electrical energy conversion when compared to analogous systems with the non-hydrogen-bonding parent C(60). [reaction: see text]     

Polymeric fullerene hydrides. Birch reduction of [60] fullerene polymers from solution-based photopolymerization and free radical polymerization reactions

Fullerene polymers represent a new class of carbon materials for potential hydrogen storage applications. Poly[60]fullerene polymers were obtained by covalently linking [60]fullerene molecules in photochemical reactions. [60]Fullerene polymers were also prepared in free radical reactions of [60]fullerene with radical initiator benzoyl peroxide. The polymeric [60]fullerene materials were hydrogenated under Birch reduction conditions. The hydrides, which contain ≈3.5% (wt/wt) of hydrogen, were characterized by use of gel permeation chromatography, NMR, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. The results are compared with those of monomeric [60]fullerene hydrides.     

Aggregation of [70]fullerene in presence of acetonitrile: a chemical kinetic experiment

[70]fullerene solutions in carbon tetrachloride and o-xylene exhibit a noteworthy spectral variation with time when acetonitrile is added. This has been ascribed to self-aggregation of [70]fullerene caused by the repulsion between polar acetonitrile and hydrophobic [70]fullerene, and the aggregation numbers have been determined from a kinetic scheme and also from a scanning electron microscopic study. The numbers thus obtained follow a cuboctahedral stacking pattern proposed recently and also agree with the magic formula n=55+3m (m=1 to 14) proposed by Branz et al. for [60]fullerene clusters [Phys. Rev. B. 66, 094107 (2002)].     

[60]富勒烯衍生物的对称性、碳笼结构与13C NMR谱

本文全面综述了多种[60]富勒烯衍生物的结构,阐述了(13)~C NMR谱在[60]富勒烯衍生物结构表征中的应用,重点讨论了不同对称性[60]富勒烯衍生物的(13)~C NMR谱图特征.通过[60]富勒烯部分(13)~C共振线的化学位移、数目和相对强度,可以确定[60]富勒烯衍生物的对称结构和加成方式.对于C_s、C_(2v)和C_(3v)对称性的[60]富勒烯衍生物,镜面上的碳原子的相对化学位移很大程度上取决于他们距加成位置的距离.因此,(13)~C NMR谱在碳笼具体结构的确定中具有不可替代的作用.     

Toxic Effect of Fullerene and Its Derivatives upon the Transmembrane β2-Adrenergic Receptors

Numerous experiments have revealed that fullerene (C₆₀) and its derivatives can bind to proteins and affect their biological functions. In this study, we explored the interaction between fullerine and the β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂AR). The MD simulation results show that fullerene binds with the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) and intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) of β₂AR through hydrophobic interactions and π–π stacking interactions. In the C₆₀_in1 trajectory, due to the π–π stacking interactions of fullerene molecules with PHE and PRO residues on ICL2, ICL2 completely flipped towards the fullerene direction and the fullerene moved slowly into the lipid membrane. When five fullerene molecules were placed on the extracellular side, they preferred to stack into a stable fullerene cluster (a deformed tetrahedral aggregate), and had almost no effect on the structure of β₂AR. The hydroxyl groups of fullerene derivatives (C₆₀(OH)_X, X represents the number of hydroxyl groups, X = 4, 8) can form strong hydrogen bonds with the ECL2, helix6, and helix7 of β₂AR. The hydroxyl groups firmly grasp the β₂AR receptor like several claws, blocking the binding entry of ligands. The simulation results show that fullerene and fullerene derivatives may have a significant effect on the local structure of β₂AR, especially the distortion of helix4, but bring about no great changes within the overall structure. It was found that C₆₀ did not compete with ligands for binding sites, but blocked the ligands’ entry into the pocket channel. All the above observations suggest that fullerene and its derivatives exhibit certain cytotoxicity.     

Solution NMR studies of supramolecular complexes of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with mono O-substituted calix[6]arene

Supramolecular complexation of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with 37-allyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert butyl)calix[6]arene (I) has been studied in CCl(4) medium by NMR spectrometric method. All of the complexes are found to be stable with 1:1 stoichiometry. Formation constants (K) of the above supramolecular complexes have been determined from systematic variation of NMR chemical shifts of specific protons of I in the presence of [60]- and [70]fullerenes. Trends in the K value suggest that [70]fullerene binds more strongly with I relative to [60]fullerene. Both PM3 and ab initio calculations reveal that the intermolecular interaction in the [70]fullerene/I complex proceeds through quite deep energy minima.