Interfacial regions governing internal cavities of dendrimers. Studies of poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers constituted with linkers of varying alkyl chain length

This report deals with a study of the properties of internal cavities of dendritic macromolecules that are capable of encapsulating and mediating photoreactions of guest molecules. The internal cavity structures of dendrimers are determined by the interfacial regions between the aqueous exterior and hydrocarbon like interior constituted by the linkers that connect symmetrically sited branch points constituting the dendrimer and head groups that cap the dendrimers. Phloroglucinol-based poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers constituted with a homologous series of alkyl linkers were undertaken for the current study. Twelve dendrimers within first, second, and third generations, having ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and n-pentyl groups as the linkers and hydroxyl groups at peripheries in each generation, were synthesized. Encapsulation of pyrene and coumarins by aqueous basic solutions of dendrimers were monitored by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, which showed that a lower generation dendrimer with an optimal alkyl linker presented better encapsulation abilities than a higher generation dendrimer. Norrish type I photoreaction of dibenzyl ketone was carried out within the above series of dendrimers to probe their abilities to hold guests and reactive intermediate radical pairs within themselves. The extent of cage effect from the series of third generation dendrimers was observed to be higher with dendrimers having an n-pentyl group as the linker.     

Synthesis and properties of dendrimers possessing the same fluorophore(s) located either peripherally or off-center

Two series of phosphorus dendrimers functionalized by maleimide derivatives are synthesized, as well as three new monomeric maleimide derivatives, of which two are characterized by X-ray diffraction. The first series of phosphorus dendrimers possesses maleimide derivatives as end groups (6-48, from generation 0 to generation 3). The second series of dendrimers possesses a single copy of the same maleimide derivative linked "off-center" to a cyclotriphosphazene core, leading to dissymmetrical dendrimers; this series is synthesized from generation 0 to generation 2. The fluorescence properties of both series of dendrimers and of monomers are studied, affording new information. First, the presence of labile hydrogen extinguishes the fluorescence. Second, the grafting of the fluorophore(s) directly to the core affords highly fluorescent compounds. Finally, an original influence of the branches possessing phosphorhydrazone linkages toward the fluorescence properties is shown.     

New insights into the interactions between dendrimers and surfactants by two dimensional NOE NMR spectroscopy

The interactions between polyamidoamine dendrimers and different surfactants including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide in aqueous solutions have been investigated by a NOESY NMR technique. Strong NOE cross-peaks between hydrophobic chain protons of SDS and methylene protons of cationic dendrimers were found, suggesting a strong tendency for the long hydrophobic tails of SDS to associate with the hydrophobic pockets of dendrimers. The hydrophilic head of SDS localizes near the core or the boundary of each generation of dendrimers, and the hydrophobic chain of SDS localizes in the relative nonpolar pockets of dendrimers. The encapsulation of surfactant monomers by dendrimers is dependent on the charge type of the surfactants, the surface functionality, and the generation of dendrimers. The NOESY analysis provides a new insight into interactions between dendrimers and surfactants in comparison with previous investigations.     

Oligosaccharide-modified poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers: synthesis, structure determination, and Cu(II) complexation

The multiple application of reductive amination on primary amino groups of first and second generation poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers is used as a one-pot approach to introduce twice the amount of the oligosaccharide units as surface groups, compared to initially present amino groups in the first and second generation dendrimers. This was proven by (1)H NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS, and LILBID-MS analysis. The size of these dendrimers was determined by the hydrodynamic radius using pulsed field gradient NMR and dynamic light scattering. Molecular modeling confirmed the presence of dense-shell dendrimers. These dendrimers exhibit a generation dependent Cu(II)/dendrimer ratio in an aqueous environment, highlighting these materials as possible metal-carrier systems with a well-defined oligosaccharide protection shell for application in a biological environment.     

Dendronized Hyperbranched Macromolecules: Soft Matter with a Novel Type of Segmental Distribution

Dendronization of a hyperbranched polyester with different generation dendrons leads to pseudo‐dendritic structures. The hyperbranched core is modified by the divergent coupling of protected monomer units to the functional groups. Compared to dendrimers, the synthetic effort is significantly less, but the properties are very close to those of high‐generation dendrimers. The number of functional groups, molar mass, and rheology behavior even in the early generation (G1–G4) pseudo‐dendrimers strongly resembles the behavior of dendrimers in higher generations (G5–G8). Comparison of the segmental and internal structure with perfect dendrimers is performed using SANS, dynamic light scattering and viscosity analysis, microscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. The interpretation of the results reveals unique structural characteristics arising from lower segmental density of the core, which turns into a soft nano‐sphere with a smooth surface even in the first generation.     

Comparison of PAMAM-Au and PPI-Au nanocomposites and their catalytic activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Dendrimer-Au nanocomposites are prepared in aqueous solutions using poly(amidoammine)dendrimers (PAMAM) (generation 2, 3, and 5) and poly(propyleneimine)dendrimers (PPI)(generation 2, 3, and 4) by wet chemical NaBH(4) method. The Au nanoparticles thus obtained are 2-4 nm in diameter for both dendrimers and no generation dependence on the particle size is observed, whereas the generations of the dendrimers are increased as stabilization of Au-nanoparticles is achieved with lower dendrimer concentrations. Studies of the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol using these nanocomposites show that the rate constants for the PAMAM dendrimers (generations 2 and 3) are higher than those for the PPI dendrimers (generations 2 and 3), while a distinct difference in the rate constants is not seen for the PAMAM dendrimer (generation 5) or the PPI dendrimer (generation 4). In addition, the rate constants for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol involving all the dendrimers decrease with increases in dendrimer concentrations.     

Synthesis, optical, and electrochemical properties of a new family of dendritic oligothiophenes

A new class of semi-flexible dendrimers with oligothiophene (OT) arms up to the third generation have been synthesized and investigated. The synthetic methods employed include a combination of palladium-catalyzed Stille cross-coupling reactions for oligothiophenes, Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions for building blocks, and carbodiimide-mediated esterification for building up the various dendrimers. The optical and electrochemical properties of this series of oligothiophenes-based dendrimers are shown to be strongly influenced by their morphologies as demonstrated by their pronounced solvatochromic and thermochromic responses under different environmental conditions. Introducing rigid oligothiophene arms to shape non-persistent ester-linked dendrimers causes higher generation dendrimers (G2 and G3) to exhibit solvatochromism and thermochromism, while their oligomeric counterpart (3b) and lower generation (G1) analogue do not. Spectroscopic changes due to both intramolecular and intermolecular aggregations are observed.     

Optically active dendrimers with a binaphthyl core and phenylene dendrons: light harvesting and enantioselective fluorescent sensing

Optically active dendrimers containing a 1,1'-binaphthyl core and cross-conjugated phenylene dendrons were synthesized and characterized. The chiral optical properties of these phenylene-based dendrimers are different from the previously reported phenyleneethynylene-based dendrimers probably because of the increased steric interaction between the adjacent phenylene units. UV and fluorescence spectroscopic studies demonstrate that the energy harvested by the periphery of the dendrimers can be efficiently transferred to the more conjugated core, generating much enhanced fluorescence signal at higher generation. The fluorescence of these dendrimers can be quenched both efficiently and enantioselectively by chiral amino alcohols. The energy migration and light-harvesting effects of the dendrimers make the higher generation dendrimer more sensitive to fluorescent quenchers than the lower ones. Thus, the dendritic structure provides a signal amplification mechanism. These materials are potentially useful in the enantioselective recognition of chiral organic molecules.     

Size and branching effects on the fluorescence of benzylic dendrimers possessing one apigenin fluorophore at the core

Different generations of dendrimers incorporating one fluorescent core of apigenin and three Fréchet benzylic dendrons have been prepared. The chief geometric features of these dendrimers have been obtained by Molecular Dynamics simulations. These computational data suggest that the asphericities of dendrimers belonging to the third and fourth generations are considerably larger than those associated with lower radii of gyration. Fluorescence spectra of high generation dendrimers evolve along time and quantum yields show an appreciable lowering for the fourth generation dendrimer. All these data suggest aggregation phenomena and lower quantum yields for nonspheric dendrimers in solution.     

Synthesis of large generation poly(propyl ether imine) (PETIM) dendrimers

Large generation poly(propyl ether imine) (PETIM) dendrimers are synthesized in iterative synthetic cycles of two reductions and two Michael addition reactions. Dendrimers up to sixth generation, containing up to 128 peripheral functionalities, are synthesized. Growth of the PETIM dendrimers, possessing a tertiary amine as the branch juncture and an ether as the linker component, is assessed systematically by routine spectroscopic methods. The peripheries of these dendrimers possess either alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, esters, or nitriles, thereby opening up possibilities for varied studies involving PETIM dendrimers.     

Electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition of photoactive dendrimers with triviologen-like cores on their surfaces. Synthesis and electrochemical and photocurrent generation measurements

The stepwise assembly of Fréchet-type dendrimers with naphthalene peripheral groups and positively charged viologen-like cores on quartz and ITO surfaces utilizing the layer-by-layer approach was investigated. We were able to deposit only the (+6) charged dendrimers series on ITO. The number of assembled dendrimers was found to increase as we go to higher-generation dendrimers. This dendrimer generation effect was evident from the UV-vis and electrochemical measurements of the assembled dendrimers. The half-wave potentials (E1/2) of the dendrimers shift to less negative values as the dendrimer generation increases in acetonitrile and to more negative values when assembled on ITO. Anodic photocurrent generation was seen upon light irradiation of the second- and third-generation dendrimers, NB1V3+6 and NB2V3+6, assembled on ITO but not for the zero-generation one, NV3+6. This observation was attributed to a fast charge recombination process in NV3+6 when compared to that of NB1V3+6 and NB2V3+6 dendrimers.     

聚酰胺―胺的合成表征及对铝酸钠溶液物化性质的影响

用发散法合成以乙二胺为核的聚酰胺―胺(PAMAM 0.5～6.0代),采用元素分析、电位滴定等方法对合成产物进行表征分析,考察了不同分子代数、不同浓度的PAMAM对铝酸钠溶液表面张力和电导率等物理化学性质的影响。结果表明,该条件下合成的PAMAM具有较好的结构完整性。此外随着添加剂PAMAM的增加,铝酸钠溶液的表面张力急剧降低,半代数的PAMAM具有较好的表面活性,有望成为新一代的表面活性剂;整代数的PAMAM也有一定的表面活性。PAMAM属于非离子型表面活性剂,因此随着PAMAM的加入,铝酸钠溶液的电导率改变不大。     

Platinum ion uptake by dendrimers: an NMR and AFM study

The reaction of generation 2 and generation 4 poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with K2PtCl2 was studied by several NMR methods. The time dependency of the Pt(II) complexation was followed with 195Pt NMR for both dendrimers and the equilibrium product was further characterized with (1)H NMR, and indirectly detected 13C NMR, in the case of the generation 2 dendrimer. After 2 days, a black precipitate of Pt(0) was observed, half the original 195Pt signal was lost, and approximately 20% of the initial Pt(II) was coordinated to the tertiary and secondary nitrogens of the generation 2 dendrimer. The uptake of Pt(II) by the generation 4 dendrimer was much slower, consistent with the steric crowding of the surface groups on the generation 4 dendrimer compared to the more open generation 2. After 10 days, 80% of the Pt(II) was deep within the generation 4 dendrimer; the remaining 20% was unreacted or bound near the surface nitrogens of a single dendrimer. The location and time course of the platinum ion uptake by the dendrimers provides valuable insight into the formation of Pt(0) nanoparticles made in the presence of dendrimers as stabilizers, visualized by atomic force microscopy.     

Synthesis and catalytic activities of Pd-phosphine complexes modified poly(ether imine) dendrimers

In this paper, we report synthesis of new alkyldiphenyl phosphine ligand modified poly(ether imine) dendrimers up to the third generation. The phosphinated dendrimers were obtained by functional group transformations of the alcohols present at the periphery of the dendrimers to chloride, followed by phosphination using LiPPh₂. The modification at the peripheries of the dendrimers was performed successfully to obtain up to 16 alkyl diphenylphosphines in the case of a third generation dendrimer, in good yields for each individual step. After phosphination, dendritic ligands were complexed with Pd(COD)Cl₂ to give dendritic phosphine-Pd^II complexes. Both the ligands and the metal complexes were characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques including high-resolution mass spectral analysis for the lower generations. Evaluation of the catalytic efficacies of the dendrimer-Pd^II metal complexes in mediating a prototypical C-C bond forming reaction, namely the Heck reaction, was performed using various olefin substrates. While the substrate conversion lowered with catalyst in the order from monomer to third generation dendrimer, the second and third generation dendrimers themselves were found to exhibit significantly better catalytic activities than the monomer and the first generation dendrimer.     

PAMAM树状大分子对酮基布洛芬溶解度的影响

以酮洛芬为模型药物,研究聚酰胺-胺(PAMAM)树状大分子对酮洛芬的增溶作用,并探讨其作用机理.采用紫外光谱法测定了G1.0、G1.5、G2.0、G2.5、G3.0、G3.5PAMAM在不同浓度和不同pH时对酮洛芬的增溶量.并运用计算机模拟方法对PAMAM与酮洛芬相互作用的机理进行了探讨.实验结果表明,酮洛芬的溶解度随溶液pH值变化而变化,在pH4.0～6.0范围内,PAMAM树状大分子对酮洛芬的增溶量随着PAMAM的代数、浓度和溶液pH的增加而增大.整代和半代都具有增溶作用.然而,在同一pH条件下,对于具有相同官能团数目的整代和半代,整代增溶效果要高于半代.计算机模拟结果表明PAMAM与酮洛芬主要靠静电作用力结合.增溶机理可能是酮洛芬的羧基与PAMAM的伯胺和叔胺发生静电作用.     

Photochemistry and mobility of stilbenoid dendrimers in their neat phases

Selectively deuterated, dodecyloxy substituted stilbenoid dendrimers of the first and second generation were synthesized by a convergent synthesis, using the Wittig-Horner reaction. The photochemistry and the fluorescence in the different crystalline and liquid crystalline phases were investigated. Molecules deuterated at the alpha-position of the alkoxy chains were used to study the photoreactions in the neat phases by 1H NMR. Reactions of the double bonds are exclusively observed in the liquid crystal phases. No photoreactions occur in the crystalline state. The mobility of the dendrimers was studied by means of 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The onset of the photochemistry for dendrimer 1 [all-(E)-1,3,5-tris[2-(3,4,5-tridodecyloxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene] corresponds to the increasing mobility at the Cr/LC transition. The first generation dendrimers still show large angle motion, whereas dendrimers of the second generation 2 [all-(E)-1,3,5-tris(2-[3,5-bis[2-(3,4,5-tridodecyloxyphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl]ethenyl)benzene] are restricted to librational motions. Photochemical conversion and fluorescence quenching for first and second generation dendrimers 1 and 2 increase with increasing molecular motion and reach a maximum in the isotropic phase.     

Photoswitchable flexible and shape-persistent dendrimers: comparison of the interplay between a photochromic azobenzene core and dendrimer structure

Two analogous classes of dendrimers with a single azobenzene moiety at the core have been prepared. Flexible benzyl aryl ether dendrimers 1a-e were obtained in good yields by direct alkylation of diphenolic azobenzene 3 with benzyl aryl ether dendrons [G-n]-Br (n = 0-4). In rigid dendrimers 2a-e, the azobenzene configurational switch was linked to phenylacetylene dendrons through acetylenic linkages to maintain the shape-persistent nature of these dendrimers. A comparison of these two different classes of dendrimers with azobenzene cores reveals a difference in the properties of the photochromic moiety upon dendritic incorporation as well as a significant difference in the photomodulation of dendrimer properties. The E --> Z photoisomerization quantum yield decreased markedly with increasing generation for dendrimers 1a-e but only slightly for dendrimers 2a-e. However, increasing generation did not significantly alter thermal isomerization kinetics or activation barriers. The hydrodynamic volumes of azobenzene-containing dendrimers 2b-e were significantly modulated when the azobenzene unit is subjected to irradiation, while those of dendrimers 1b-e were only slightly affected.     

Synthesis of Binaphthol Based Poly(arylene) Dendrimers and Their Use as Enantioselective Fluorescent Scensors

New optically active dendrimers (1-3) containing rigid and cross-conjugated units have been synthesized and characterized. UV and fluorescence spectroscopic studies demonstrate that the energy harvested by the periphery of the dendrimers can be efficiently transferred to the core. The fluorescence of the dendrimers can be quenched by amino alcohols (4-6) both efficiently and enantioselectively. The energy migration and light harvesting effects of the dendrimers make the higher generation dendrimers more sensitive fluorescent quencher than the lower ones.     

Unsurpassed cage effect for the photolysis of dibenzyl ketones in water-soluble dendrimers

Amphiphilic water-soluble poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers Gn (n = 1-3) with charge-neutral tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ethers at their periphery were synthesized as microreactors to control the photochemical reactions of dibenzyl ketone derivatives in aqueous solutions. Photophysical studies demonstrated that Gn can encapsulate organic molecules and provide a hydrophobic microenvironment. The product distribution of photolysis of dibenzyl ketone derivatives can be successfully controlled by encapsulating the substrates within dendrimers, and an unsurpassed cage effect of 1.00 is reached in high generation dendrimers, revealing that a thick and compact "shell" was formed at the periphery of the dendrimers. The cage effect is also significantly influenced by the substituent at the para-position of the guest molecules. The higher generation dendrimers exhibit a better confined microenvironment and the aggregates possess more compact cavities to "lock" the guests than the corresponding unimolecular dendrimers. After photolysis, the separation of products can be easily achieved by extracting from the dendrimer solutions and the dendrimers are simply recovered and reused.     

Electrochemical and guest binding properties of Frechet- and Newkome-type dendrimers with a single viologen unit located at their apical positions

Several new series of dendrimers containing a single redox-active 4,4'-bipyridinium (viologen) residue were synthesized and characterized. In these dendrimers, the viologen group is covalently attached to the apical position of a Newkome- or Frechet-type dendron, ranging in size from first to third generation of growth. The half-wave potentials corresponding to the two consecutive one-electron reductions of the viologen residue are affected by the size of the dendritic component. The size effects are more pronounced in the Newkome-type dendrimers and seem to result from the polarity contrast between the microenvironments provided by the solution and the internal phase of the dendrimer. Unlike in many other dendrimers having a redox-active core, the voltammetric behavior remains fast (reversible) even in third generation dendrimers. Pulse gradient stimulated echo NMR diffusion coefficient measurements on the Newkome-type dendrimers reveal that their hydrodynamic radii are relatively invariant in solvents of widely different polarities (dichloromethane to dimethyl sulfoxide). The host-guest binding interactions between the viologen residue in these dendrimers and the crown ether host bis-p-phenylene-34-crown-8 were also investigated. While in Newkome-type dendrimers the growth of the dendron caused a substantial attenuation of the binding constant values, this size effect was not observed in the Frechet-type dendrimers. These electrochemical and binding measurements underscore some of the structural differences between these two common types of dendritic architectures.