Synthesis and fluorescent properties of a new photostable thiol reagent “BACM”

The 3-maleimidocoumarin BACM ( 2d ) is a new tag designed to react with thiols in biological materials to form fluorescent derivatives whose emission is in the 500 nm (green) region with good resistance to fading. The fluorescence properties of its N-acetyl-L-cysteine derivative are described. BACM itself is non-fluorescent, as is its predecessor, DACM ( 1a ). A synthesis of BACM is reported which avoids the formation of nitrocoumarin isomers obtained in the reported synthesis of DACM. The synthesis of the related 3-(4-maleimidophenyl)coumarin is also described.     

Interfaces between Molecular and Polymeric “Metals”: Electrically Conductive,Structure-Enforced Assemblies of Metallomacrocycles

The design, synthesis, characterization, and understanding of new molecular and macro-molecular substances with “metal-like” electrical properties represents an active research area at the interface of chemistry, physics, and materials science. An important, long-range goal in this field of “materials by design” is to construct supermolecular assemblies which exhibit preordained collective phenomena by virtue of “engineered” interactions between molecular building blocks. In this review, such a class of designed materials is discussed which, in addition, bridges the gap between molecular and polymeric conductors: assemblies of electrically conductive metallomacrocycles. It is seen that efforts to rationally construct stacked metal-like molecular arrays lead logically to structure-enforced macromolecular assemblies of covalently linked molecular subunits. Typical building blocks are robust, chemically versatile metallophthalocyanines. The electrical optical, and magnetic properties of these metallomacrocyclic assemblies and the fragments thereof, provide fundamental information on the connections between local atomic-scale architecture, electronic structure, and the macroscopic collective properties of the bulk solid.     

Semi‐rigid polyesters analysed using the “strong‐fragile” concept

Semi‐rigid polyesters from diphenyl dicarbonic acid and some branched propyl and butyl spacers have been investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry. From Δc_p at Tg and the determination of the fragility index m, we studied the “strong‐fragile” behaviour of these materials. All the samples appear thermodynamically “strong” and “kinetically” fragile. A comparison of these results with those obtained from glass‐forming liquids leading to linear polymers ‐ such as PET, PCT, PEN or poly‐methyl (α‐n‐alkyl) acrylates ‐ shows that a modification of the polymer rigidity leads to change the fragility index m and the Δc_p at the glass transition.     

Recognition and assembly using protein “building blocks”

A new approach to materials design is presented, utilizing specific recognition and assembly of proteins at the molecular level. The approach exploits the control over polymer chain microstructure afforded by biosynthesis to produce protein-based materials with precisely defined physical properties. Incorporated into these materials are recognition elements that stringently control the placement and organization of each chain within higher order superstructures. The proteins, designated Recognin A2 through Recognin E2, are recombinant polypeptides designed de novo from both natural consensus sequences and an appreciation of the physical principles governing biological recognition. The synthesis and characterization of the protein recognition elements is briefly described and initial studies on self-assembly-recognition patterns using surface plasmon resonance and circular dichroism are presented. A subset of these materials are programmed to spontaneously assembly into complex, multicomponent structures and represent a first step in a rational approach to nanometer-scale structural design.     

Photoelectron-spectroscopic Evidence Concerning “Homo-aromaticity”

The first of the two π-bands in the photoelectron spectrum of cis-cis-cis-1, 4, 7-cyclononatriene (I, symmetry C_3v) shows a Jahn-Teller split. This is consistent with the prediction of molecular orbital theory that the top occupied orbitals of I are e (π) and a ₁(π) respectively. From the difference ?( e (π)) - ?( a ₁(π)) = 0.90 to 0.97 eV a value of β_1,3 = ?0.68 eV = 0.27 β (β = -2.5 eV) is obtained for the homoconjugative interaction of two π-orbitals in I. This value represents almost exclusively through-space interaction between the π-orbitals. Through-bond interaction (hyperconjugation) is a minor effect in I. A comparison of the photoelectron data of bicyclo [4.2.1] nonatriene with those of norbornene and cycloheptadiene shows that homoconjugation (homo-aromaticity) can only be detected by photoelectron spectroscopy if the interacting π-bonds (basis orbitals) are symmetry equivalent or have accidentally (almost) degenerate energies.     

Phase‐separated microstructures in “all‐acrylic” thermoplastic elastomers

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is used to study the phase separation process occurring in block copolymers in the solid state. Measuring simultaneously the amplitude and the phase of the oscillating cantilever in tapping‐mode operation provides the surface topography along with the cartography of microdomains with different mechanical properties. This in turn allows to characterize the organization of the various components at the surface in terms of well‐defined morphologies (e.g., spheres, cylinders, or lamellae). Here this approach is applied to a series of symmetric triblock copolymers made of a central elastomeric segment (polyalkylacrylate) surrounded by two thermoplastic sequences (polymethylmethacrylate). The occurrence of microphase separation in these materials and the resulting microscopic morphology are essential factors for determining their potential applications as a new class of thermoplastic elastomers. This paper describes how the surface morphology can be controlled by the molecular structure of the copolymers (volume ratio between the sequences, molecular weight, length of the alkyl side group) and by the experimental conditions used for the preparation of the films. The molecular structure of the chains is fully determined by the synthesis of the copolymers via living anionic polymerization while the parameters that can be modified when preparing the samples are the nature of the solvent and the thermal annealing of the films. Finally, we report on a systematic comparison between images and approach‐retract curve data. We show that this experimental comparison allows the origin of the contrast that produces the image to be straightforwardly evaluated. The method provides an unambiguous quantitative measurement of the contribution of the local mechanical response to the image. We show that most of the contrast in the height and phase images is due to variations in local mechanical properties and not in topography.     

New 3π‐2Spiro Ladder‐Type Phenylene Materials: Synthesis,Physicochemical Properties and Applications in OLEDs

New routes to ladder‐type phenylene materials 1 and 2 are described. The oligomers 1 and 2 , which possess a “3π‐2spiro” architecture, have been synthesized by using extended diketone derivatives 3 and 10 as key intermediates. The physicochemical properties of the new blue‐light emitter 2 were studied in detail and compared with those of the less‐extended 1 . Owing to the recent development of fluorenone derivatives and their corresponding more conjugated analogues as potential electron‐transport materials in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) and as n‐type materials for photovoltaic applications, we also report herein the thermal, optical and electrochemical behavior of the key intermediates, diketones 3 and 10 . Finally, the application of dispiro 2 as a new light‐emitting material in OLEDs is reported.     

Corrigendum to “Deposition of chemically reactive and repellent sites on biosensor chips for reduced non-specific binding” [Colloids Surf. B 79 (2010) 270–275]

Treatment of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces with SF₆ plasma results in the creation of high-surface-area nanotextured surfaces that considerably favour protein adsorption with respect to untreated ones. In order to employ such nanotextured surfaces as substrates for microarrays to be created and analysed using standard instrumentation, we fabricated thin PDMS films on top of standard low-cost microscope glass slides. The properties of both untreated and plasma-treated PDMS-coated slides towards spotting of protein solutions were evaluated in terms of spot signal intensity and homogeneity as well as of spot shape and size. It was found that the plasma-treated PDMS-coated glass slides provided highly homogeneous spots (mean intra-spot variation 7.6%) with spot signal intensity 6-times higher than that obtained using the untreated ones. In addition, comparison with commercially available polystyrene and aminosilanized-glass microarray slides showed that the proposed slides provided 3-times higher spot signal intensity and 2-times lower intra-spot signal variation. In addition, the implementation of long-aged-after-plasma-treatment nanotextured PDMS-coated glass slides provided spots whose shape and size matched those of the spotting tip. As a consequence, denser arrays of variable spot shape can be created using SF₆ plasma-treated PDMS-coated slides instead of standard microarray slides opening new potentials for bioanalytical applications.     

A Three‐Dimensional Porous Organic Semiconductor Based on Fully sp2‐Hybridized Graphitic Polymer

Dimensionality plays an important role in the charge transport properties of organic semiconductors. Although three‐dimensional semiconductors, such as Si, are common in inorganic materials, imparting electrical conductivity to covalent three‐dimensional organic polymers is challenging. Now, the synthesis of a three‐dimensional π‐conjugated porous organic polymer (3D p‐POP) using catalyst‐free Diels–Alder cycloaddition polymerization followed by acid‐promoted aromatization is presented. With a surface area of 801 m² g^?1, full conjugation throughout the carbon backbone, and an electrical conductivity of 6(2)×10^?4 S cm^?1 upon treatment with I₂ vapor, the 3D p‐POP is the first member of a new class of permanently porous 3D organic semiconductors.     

Hydrogels from Amorphous Calcium Carbonate and Polyacrylic Acid: Bio‐Inspired Materials for “Mineral Plastics”

Given increasing environmental issues due to the large usage of non‐biodegradable plastics based on petroleum, new plastic materials, which are economic, environmentally friendly, and recyclable are in high demand. One feasible strategy is the bio‐inspired synthesis of mineral‐based hybrid materials. Herein we report a facile route for an amorphous CaCO₃ (ACC)‐based hydrogel consisting of very small ACC nanoparticles physically cross‐linked by poly(acrylic acid). The hydrogel is shapeable, stretchable, and self‐healable. Upon drying, the hydrogel forms free‐standing, rigid, and transparent objects with remarkable mechanical performance. By swelling in water, the material can completely recover the initial hydrogel state. As a matrix, thermochromism can also be easily introduced. The present hybrid hydrogel may represent a new class of plastic materials, the “mineral plastics”.     

Filler effect on properties of “All‐Acrylic” copolymer/clay elastomeric materials synthesized by “in situ” nitroxide mediated polymerization

In this work, we describe the “in situ” synthesis of “all‐acrylic” copolymer (n‐butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)/clay materials at different low contents of raw and modified Montmorillonite (1–4 wt % versus monomer). The cationic 2,2′ azobis‐(amidinopropane)dihydrochloride initiator was used to modified the clay by cation exchange in combination with the N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl)] (SG1) nitroxide to synthesize the polymer/clay nanocomposite via nitroxide mediated controlled radical polymerization. All synthesized materials are characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The thermo‐mechanical properties of the synthesized materials are also reported. The results show that a decrease in molar masses and/or slight changes in molar compositions of poly (n‐butyl acrylate‐ co‐methyl methacrylate)/clay systems can be balanced by clay loading in polymer matrix, and consequently compensated or masked clay effects on physical properties of obtained materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Electrical–thermal aging characteristic research of polymer materials by infrared spectroscopy,

Traditional insulation paper (pressboard) used in power transformers has weaknesses such as poor thermostability, low breakdown voltage, and high permittivity, which leads to its degradation or even breakdown over time. For this paper, in order to judge if they could be used as new insulation materials for transformers, polycarbonate and polyester films were selected for electrical–thermal aging tests in temperatures of 110°C and 130°C in comparison with the insulation paper. Several infrared spectral tests were carried out on the three materials under a scanning electron microscope to analyze their electrical–thermal aging characteristics, mechanical behaviors, and degrees of polymerization. The functional group whose absorption peak intensity decreased drastically with aging was referred to as the characteristic functional group, and its peak absorption intensity was used to reflect its aging level. This paper found that the polycarbonate had a better aging resistance than both the insulation paper and PET. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microfluidics in the “Open Space” for Performing Localized Chemistry on Biological Interfaces

Local interactions between (bio)chemicals and biological interfaces play an important role in fields ranging from surface patterning to cell toxicology. These interactions can be studied using microfluidic systems that operate in the “open space”, that is, without the need for the sealed channels and chambers commonly used in microfluidics. This emerging class of techniques localizes chemical reactions on biological interfaces or specimens without imposing significant “constraints” on samples, such as encapsulation, pre‐processing steps, or the need for scaffolds. They therefore provide new opportunities for handling, analyzing, and interacting with biological samples. The motivation for performing localized chemistry is discussed, as are the requirements imposed on localization techniques. Three classes of microfluidic systems operating in the open space, based on microelectrochemistry, multiphase transport, and hydrodynamic flow confinement of liquids are presented.     

“Close loop” mechanistic schemes for hydrocarbon polymer oxidation

Mechanistic schemes of radical oxidation of hydrocarbon polymers in which initiation is only due to unimolecular or bimolecular hydroperoxide decomposition have been studied. The results of their kinetic analysis have been compared with literature data relative to the thermal oxidation of polypropylene in solid state (60-160°C). These data are in remarkably good agreement with the “unimolecular” scheme whose main characteristics are: (1) the quasi-independence of the kinetic behavior with initial conditions (for low initial content of thermolabile structures), and (2) the fact that an arbitrarily defined induction period depends only on the rate constant of unimolecular hydroperoxide decomposition. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Physical vapor transport and crystal growth of GeSexTe1−x solid solutions

Physical vapor transport studies of GeSe_xTe_1–x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) solid solutions demonstrated, that individual, large single crystals of these materials can be grown in closed ampoules. A compositional analysis of the grown crystals revealed, that the mass transport (crystal growth) process under steady-state conditions is pseudo-congruent and controlled by diffusion processes in the source material. From these experiments, the degree of nonstoichiometry (Ge-vacancy concentrations) of GeSe_xTe_1–x single crystals could be estimated. The effects of the cubic to rhombohedral phase transformation during cooling on the microstructure and morphology of the grown mixed crystals are observed. This work provides the basis for subsequent defect studies and electrical measurements on these crystals.     

Transport properties of two‐dimensionally fused zinc porphyrins from linear‐response approach

Transport properties, temperature‐dependent phonon‐limited electrical and thermal resistivities in the normal state of two‐dimensionally (2D) infinite‐fused zinc porphyrin with a directly meso‐meso‐, β‐β‐, and β‐β‐linked array structure ZnP _∞ were theoretically calculated using linear‐response approach based on density functional theory (DFT). The calculated transport electron–phonon coupling (EPC) constant using the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) shows almost equal to the superconducting EPC constant, which is the similar situation within a difference by ca. 10% between them for the transition metals. The calculated electrical and thermal resistivities at 300 K obtained by solving the Boltzmann equation within the lowest‐order variational approximation (LOVA) are only larger by one digit than those of the reference metal Al, expecting to become a fantastic 2D synthetic metal without an injection of conductive carriers from outside, e.g., by doping. The calculated results for the 2D infinite‐fused lithium porphyrin LiP _∞ with the same ground state as the one‐electron oxidative state of ZnP _∞ were also discussed for comparison. This simple approach using the first applied plane‐wave ultrasoft pseudopotentials (US‐PPs) is a usable technique for the prediction of the transport properties of simple metallic materials within the practical temperature range. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Fast Reductive Amination by Transfer Hydrogenation “on Water”

Reductive amination of various ketones and aldehydes by transfer hydrogenation under aqueous conditions has been developed, by using cyclometallated iridium complexes as catalysts and formate as hydrogen source. The pH value of the solution is shown to be critical for a high catalytic chemoselectivity and activity, with the best pH value being 4.8. In comparison with that in organic solvents, the reductive amination in an aqueous phase is faster, and the molar ratio of the substrate to the catalyst (S/C) can be set as high as 1×10⁵, the highest S/C value ever reported in reductive amination reactions. The catalyst is easy to access and the reaction is operationally simple, allowing a wide range of ketones and aldehydes to react with various amines in high yields. The protocol provides a practical and environmental friendly new method for the synthesis of amine compounds.     

Renewable benzoxazine monomers from “lignin‐like” naturally occurring phenolic derivatives

The benzoxazines of three naturally occurring phenylpropanoid phenols: ferulic, coumaric, and phloretic acids, and their esters are described. Benzoxazines with conjugated unsaturated chains exhibit unusual poor thermal stability and degrade partially at the polymerization temperature making necessary the use of a catalyst (BF₃.Et₂O) to low the polymerization temperature and prevent degradation. Polybenzoxazines are prepared thermally and characterized by DSC and TGA techniques. The resulting materials have superior Tgs when compared with those prepared from an unsubstituted monofuctional benzoxazine due to the additional crosslinking through the ester and carboxylic moieties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4894–4903     

Characterization of the mesostructure of HDPE under “in situ” uniaxial tensile test by incoherent polarized steady‐light transport

This study presents quantitative results related to in situ investigation of the microstructural evolutions of high‐density polyethylene with deformation. These results were obtained thanks to a novel technique (IPSLT) based on the polarized light scattering transport phenomenon. The heterogeneities produced during whitening of the polymer bulk are characterized at the mesoscale level (from hundred of nanometers to a few micrometers). The technique is described as well as the identified parameters it provides, namely: the average size of the scatterers, the anisotropy developed in the medium, and the light transport length, representative of both the volume fraction and size of the heterogeneities. Results obtained during video‐controlled tensile experiments confirm those obtained previously with X‐ray microtomography. They put forward the role of morphological transformations of the amorphous/crystalline phases (especially regarding the creation of fibrillar assemblies) rather than the cavitation phenomenon. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Fullerene “Superhalogen” Radicals: the Substituent Effect on Electronic Properties of 1,7,11,24,27‐C60X5

Hexasubstituted fullerenes with the skew pentagonal pyramid (SPP) addition pattern are predominantly formed in many types of reactions and represent important and versatile building blocks for supramolecular chemistry, biomedical and optoelectronic applications. Regioselective synthesis and characterization of the new SPP derivative, C₆₀(CF₃)₄(CN)H, in this work led to the experimental identification of the new family of “superhalogen fullerene radicals”, species with the gas‐phase electron affinity higher than that of the most electronegative halogens, F and Cl. Low‐temperature photoelectron spectroscopy and DFT studies of different C₆₀X₅ radicals reveal a profound effect of X groups on their electron affinities (EA), which vary from 2.76 eV (X=CH₃) to 4.47 eV (X=CN). The measured gas‐phase EA of the newly synthesized C₆₀(CF₃)₄CN equals 4.28 (1) eV, which is about 1 eV higher than the EA of Cl atom. An observed remarkable stability of C₆₀(CF₃)₄CN^? in solution under ambient conditions opens new venues for design of air‐stable molecular complexes and salts for supramolecular structures of electroactive functional materials.