Hydrothermal assembly of a novel three-dimensional framework formed by [GdMo(12)O(42)](9-) anions and nine coordinated Gd(III) cations

The three-dimensional framework of [Gd(H(2)O)(3)](3)[GdMo(12)O(42)]vdt.3H(2)O, which was synthesized from hydrothermal reaction, is built up from Silverton-type anions linked by nine coordinated gadolinium(III) cations. It is the first time that the paramagnetic lanthanide(III) cation is introduced into the Silverton-type anionic center in the heteropolymolybdate chemistry, and it acts as 18 dentate ligands coordinating to six Gd(III) atoms and linking up six other neighboring [Mo(12)GdO(42)](9-) units in a staggered manner to generate a remarkable three-dimensional framework. The magnetic susceptibility measurement suggests that the weak antiferromagnetic behavior results from the transformation of O-Mo-O units, which has been confirmed by EPR spectra.     

主链含四重氢键基元聚氨酯的合成与性能

合成了一种新型含有UPy(2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidone)基团的二羟基化合物,以此二羟基化合物作扩链剂,通过与聚氨酯预聚体进行的扩链反应,制备了一系列主链含UPy的聚氨酯(PU-UPy).傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)、氢核磁共振(1H-NMR)等测试结果表明,在聚氨酯主链中确实含有UPy链段.同时,热性能及力学性能测试表明,聚氨酯中的UPy二聚体会集聚而形成微晶,熔点在60℃附近.在聚氨酯主链中引入UPy,能大幅提高聚氨酯的力学性能,调整软段的分子量,以及在主链中UPy含量可改变聚氨酯弹性体的断裂伸长率和抗张强度.     

Structure factors of dispersible units of carbon black filler in rubbers

We report the structures of dispersible units, a most fundamental but minimal dispersible structural unit of a carbon black (CB) filler that is formed in two kinds of rubber (polyisoprene and styrene-butadiene random copolymer) matrices under a given processing condition. The results obtained from various small-angle scattering techniques showed that the CB aggregates, as observed after the sonification of a CB/toluene solution, were a spherical shape composed of approximately nine primary CB particles fused together. In the rubber matrices, the aggregates clustered into higher order structures defined in this work as the dispersible units, which are the fundamental structural elements (or the "lower cutoff structures") that build up a higher order mass-fractal structure. Furthermore, we found that the morphology of the dispersible units strongly depended on the rubber matrix, although the mass-fractal dimensions remained unchanged.     

Chiral nanoporous metal-metallosalen frameworks for hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides

Chiral nanoporous metal-organic frameworks are constructed by using dicarboxyl-functionalized chiral Ni(salen) and Co(salen) ligands. The Co(salen)-based framework is shown to be an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of racemic epoxides with up to 99.5% ee. The MOF structure brings Co(salen) units into a highly dense arrangement and close proximity that enhances bimetallic cooperative interactions, leading to improved catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in HKR compared with its homogeneous analogues, especially at low catalyst/substrate ratios.     

Convergent synthesis of 10 nm aryleneethynylene molecular wires by an iterative regioselective deprotection/Sonogashira coupling protocol

[structure: see text] The synthesis of a new series of rigid-rod aryleneethynylene derivatives of up to ca. 10 nm molecular length (compounds 16 and 17) is reported using iterative Pd-mediated Sonogashira coupling methodology combined with regioselective removal of the different protecting groups (namely, trimethylsilyl and 2-hydroxyprop-2-yl groups) from the terminal alkyne units. Additionally, the TMS-acetylene unit has been cleanly deprotected to afford a terminal alkyne in the presence of a cyanoethylsulfanyl group. Some of these molecular wires are functionalized with terminal protected thiophenol units for attachment to metal surfaces (compounds 16 and 17). Internal electron-acceptor units have been incorporated into their structures, namely, 9-[di(4-pyridyl)methylene]fluorene (compound 17) or fluorenone (compounds 19-22). Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra reveal a red shift in the value of lambda(max) with increasing molecular length, which approaches saturation at an effective conjugation length of ca. 15-20 pi-units in the molecules, where each phenyl ring or a triple bond is counted as one pi-unit.     

Radiation-induced changes in the microdestruction mechanisms in high-density polyethylene

High–density polyethylene (HDPE) samples irradiated by Co⁶⁰ gamma source have been investigated. The integration between the macromolecular structural units building the supermolecular structural organization is changed and different microdestruction mechanisms are achieved in the irradiation interval (0–20 Mrad). These microdestruction mechanisms are a result of specific radiation-induced crosslinking for the different irradiation doses. The crosslinking unites the primary structural units into macromolecular networks and lattices, which have a different effect upon the micro- and macrocharacteristics of the polymer, i.e., local micro-Brownian mobility, elongation at break, etc. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Anti-adhesive activities of flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins in the interaction of group A-streptococci and human epithelial cells

Bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells is a key step in infections, allowing subsequent colonization, invasion and internalization of pathogens into tissues. Anti-adhesive agents are therefore potential prophylactic tools against bacterial infections. The range of anti-adhesive compounds is largely confined to carbohydrate analogues. Tannins are generously recognized as potent antimicrobials, but little data exist on their anti-adherence potency. Using a model for mucosal pathogenesis with labeled group A-streptococci (GAS) and human laryngeal HEp-2 cells, a series of flavan-3-ols (epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate) and highly purified and chemically characterized proanthocyanidin samples including procyanidins based on epicatechin, catechin or 'mixed' constituent flavanyl units, prodelphinidins made up of (epi)gallocatechin monomeric unts as well as oligomers possessing A-type units in their molecules was evaluated for anti-adhesive effects. Reduced microbial adherence was observed exclusively for prodelphinidins, suggesting that pyrogallol-type elements, i.e., (epi)gallocatechin units are important structural features. This is the first report on structure-activity relationships regarding the anti-adhesive potency of proanthocyanidins. In addition, the structures of the first chemically defined proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides are disclosed.     

From self-organizing polymers to nanohybrid and biomaterials

Block copolymers form a large number of superlattices with characteristic dimensions in the range of a few nanometers up to several micrometers by self-organization. The interplay of supramolecular physics and chemistry opens up new approaches to the production of inorganic, organic, and biological structures and to their integration into functional units. Possible applications in the fields of materials science and molecular biology are being investigated. Block copolymers find numerous applications from the production of inorganic nanoparticles (metals, semiconductors, magnets) and mesoporous materials up to take-up/release systems in chemo- and gene therapy.     

Ethynyl-linked perylene bisimide based electron acceptors for non-fullerene organic solar cells

Star-shaped electron acceptors based on perylene bisimide as end groups and spiro-aromatic core linked with ethynyl units were developed for nonfullerene solar cells. Ethynyl linkers are able to improve the planarity of conjugated backbone, resulting in enhanced electron mobility and power conversion efficiency in solar cells.     

1‐(Diaminomethylene)thiourea: a tautomer of 2‐imino‐4‐thiobiuret

Crystals of the title compound, C₂H₆N₄S, are built up from nonplanar 1‐(diaminomethylene)thiourea molecules. Pairs of molecules related by inversion are linked by N—H...N hydrogen bonds to form dimeric units, and weak N—H...S interactions link these dimeric units into a three‐dimensional framework.     

Mesoscopic structure and properties of liquid crystalline mesophase pitch and its transformation into carbon fiber

The history and present state of the art in the chemistry of mesophase pitch, which is an important precursor for carbon fiber and other high-performance industrial carbons, are reviewed relative to their structural properties. The structural concepts in both microscopic and macroscopic views are summarized in terms of the sp(2) carbon hexagonal plane as a basic unit common to graphitic materials, its planar stacking in clusters, and cluster assembly into microdomains and domains, the latter of which reflect the isochromatic unit of optical anisotropy. Such a series of structural units is described in a semiquantitative manner corresponding to the same units of graphitic materials, although the size and stacking height of the hexagonal planes (graphitic sheets) are very different. Mesophase pitch is a liquid crystal material whose basic structural concepts are maintained in the temperature range of 250 to 350 degrees C. The melt flow and thermal properties are related to its micro- and mesoscopic structure. The structure of mesophase-pitch-based carbon fiber of high tensile strength, modulus, and thermal conductivity has been formed through spinning, and has inherited the same structural concepts of mesophase pitch. Stabilization settles the structure in successive heat treatments up to 3000 degrees C. Carbonization and graphitization enable growth of the hexagonal planes and their stacking into units of graphite. Such growth is governed and controlled by the alignment of micro- and mesoscopic structures in the mesophase pitch, which define the derived carbon materials as nanostructural materials. Their properties are controlled by the nanoscopic units that are expected to behave as nanomaterials when appropriately isolated or handled.     

Nanometre-sized Macrocyclic Oligoamides by Iterative Synthesis

New nanometre-sized macrocyclictosylaza[3_n]paracyclophanes have been synthesized bymeans of an iterative synthetic strategy using linearbuilding blocks with up to four benzene units. Theformation of the open-chain difunctionalized linearmolecules was achieved by a three step reactionsequence including nucleophilic substitution andtransformation of the terminal ester groups to thecorresponding dialcohol and dibromide. The finalintermolecular macrocyclizations were carried out byreaction of open chained dibromides andbis(tosylamides) to obtain nanosize macrocyclicoligotosylamides in 31–50% yield. Highly symmetricaltosylaza[3_n]paracyclophanes containing up to sevenbenzene units and up to 49 ring members (n = 5–7) wereobtained. Also described is the preparation of30–90-membered paracyclophanes containing biphenyl orterphenyl units.     

Dithienylethene metallodendrimers with high photochromic efficiency

It has been challenging to achieve multi-photochromic systems without affecting the individual photoswitching properties of the constituent units. Herein, we present the design and synthesis of a new family of platinum-acetylide dendrimers containing up to twenty-one photochromic dithienylethene(DTE)units that exhibit both high photochromic efficiency and individual switching properties. Upon irradiation with ultraviolet(UV) and visible(vis) light, the resultant metallodendrimers display high co...     

Anionic Polymerization and Copolymerization of Hydrocarbon Monomers Catalyzed by Organobarium Initiators

The barium salt of the dimeric dianion of 1,1-diphenylethylene (Ba-DPhE) initiates polymerization and copolymerization of monomers capable of anionic polymerization (butadiene, isoprene, styrene) in ethereal and hydrocarbon solvents. Ba-DPhE is more stereospecific in butadiene polymerization (up to 70% of cis-1, 4-units in hydrocarbon medium) than initiators based on other metals of Groups I and II. The relative reactivity of monomers in copolymerization processes in THF decreases in an order typical for anionic polymerization: styrene > butadiene > isoprene. The most interesting feature of organobarium initiators is their ability to form random butadiene-styrene copolymers with high cis-1,4-butadiene unit content when copolymerization proceeds in a hydrocarbon medium.

A new phenomenon in anionic polymerization, the dependence of diene units structure on copolymer composition, was observed. Thus an increase of styrene content in butadienestyrene copolymer leads to conversion of cis-1,4-butadiene units into trans-1,4-units (in benzene) or to conversion of 1,4-units to 1,2-units (in THF). Similarly, an increase of butadiene content in its copolymer with isoprene (in benzene) leads to conversion of cis-1,4-isoprene units into trans-1,4-units.

Spectrophotometric, conductometric, and viscometric methods were used to study organobarium active centers. Certain anomalies connected with the formation of specific aggregates due to coupling of bifunctional hydrocarbon chains with bivalent counterions were observed.     

Preparation of Functional Poly(aroyltriazole)s by Metal-Free Click Polymerization

Functional poly(aroyltriazoles) (PATAs) were synthesized by heating mixtures of bis(aroylacetylene)s and diazides in polar solvents such as DMF/toluene at a moderate temperature of 100 °C with high molecular weights (M_w up to 17 200) and regioregularities (1,4-regioisomeric ratio up to ∼95%) in high yields (up to ∼95%). The obtained polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and are thermally stable. The PATAs containing triphenylamine units emit visible light and show unique solvatochromism, exhibiting large two-photon absorption cross sections due to the intramolecular charge transfer between their electron-donating triphenylamine and electron-accepting aroyltriazole units. The tetraphenylethene (TPE)-functionalized polymer shows intriguing aggregation-induced emission phenomenon, that is, the polymer is weakly emissive in its solution state but emit strongly in its aggregate/solid state with quantum yield of ∼7.1%.     

Evaluation of norbornene- beta-cyclodextrin-based monomers and oligomers as chiral selectors by means of nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

Norbornen-5-yl carboxylic acid and norbornen-5-ylmethylsilyl ether-based beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CDs) containing up to three norbornene ester and up to five norbornene silyl ether units have been prepared from beta-CD and norbornen-5-carboxylic chloride and norbornen-5-ylmethyldichlorosilane, respectively. Oligomers (n = 2-4) were prepared therefrom using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Monomeric and oligomeric substituted beta-CDs were evaluated as chiral selectors in nonaqueous capillary zone electrophoresis using 35 mM sodium bicarbonate in N-methylformamide (NMF) as background electrolyte. Both monomeric and oligomeric norbornene ester- and norbornene silyl ether-type selectors showed good enantioresolution for dansylated (DNS-) amino acids using concentrations of the chiral selector of up to 4% w/v. A significant improvement in resolution was observed upon the introduction of up to five norbornene silyl ether units into a beta-CD molecule, whereas higher degrees of substitution with norbornen-5-yl-carboxyl groups lead to a reduction in enantioresolution of DNS-amino acids. Thus, pentakis(norbornen-5-ylmethylhydroxysiloxyl)-beta-CD turned out to be superior to mono(norbornen-5-ylmethylhydroxysiloxyl)-beta-CD in terms of enantioresolution. Moreover, norbornene silyl ether-type selectors were found to be more efficient than norbornene ester-type selectors. Finally, oligomeric selectors were found to possess superior or at least comparable enantioselectivity in the separation of DNS-amino acids compared to the parent monomers. A maximum in enantioresolution was obtained with oligo(pentakis(norbornen-5-ylmethylhydroxysiloxyl)beta-CD).     

A Boat-Shaped Tetracationic Macrocycle with a Semiconducting Organic Framework

We report the synthesis of a tetracationic macrocycle which contains two N,N′-bis(methylene)naphthalenediimide units inserted in between the pyridinium rings of the bipyridinium units in cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT⁴⁺ or “blue box”) and describe the investigation of its potential use in materials for organic electronics. The incorporation of the two naphthalenediimide (NDI) units into the constitution of CBPQT⁴⁺, not only changes the supramolecular properties of the tetracation in the solid state, but also has a profound influence on the electrochemical and electronic behavior of the resulting tetracationic macrocycle. In particular, the solid-state (super)structure, investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, reveals the formation of a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular framework with ca. 2.8 nm diameter one-dimensional (1D) hexagonal channels. Electrochemical studies on solid-state thin films of the macrocycle show that they exhibit semiconducting properties with a redox-conductivity of up to 7.6×10⁻⁴ S m⁻¹. Moreover, EPR and ENDOR spectroscopies show that charge is equally shared between the NDIs within the one-electron reduced state of the NDI-based macrocycle on the time scale of these techniques.     

Helicity‐Encoded Molecular Strands: Efficient Access by the Hydrazone Route and Structural Features

Control over the folding of molecular strands may be achieved by appropriate choice of the constituting subunits, in particular for chains of specific heterocycles such as sequences of directly connected pyridine (py) and pyrimidine (pym) rings, which are known to fold into extended helical structures. Since the hydrazone (hyz) group represents an isomorphic analogue of a py site, the condensation of hydrazine and carboxaldehyde derivatives of pym offers a very efficient approach to strands incorporating hyz instead of py units and constituted by sequences of alternating hyz and pym groups. A series of such strands of different lengths, up to ten hyz units, i.e., 1 – 7 , were synthesized. Their spectral properties indicate that they fold indeed into helical shapes. Extensive characterization was performed in solution by ¹HNMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by determination of the crystal structures of eight such strands. They all display the expected helical geometry with up to 3 ¹/₃ turns and direct stacking contacts. The efficiency and flexibility of the synthetic approach as well as its wide potential for generation of diversity through lateral decoration make the (hyz? pym) subunit a particularly attractive helicity codon.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Acylation of Aryl Diazoesters with ortho‐Bromobenzaldehydes

In this work, we describe a palladium‐catalyzed intermolecular O acylation of α‐diazoesters with ortho‐bromobenzaldehydes. The C(sp²)?H bond activation of the aldehyde is enabled by migratory insertion of a palladium carbene intermediate. The diazoesters act as modular three‐atom units to build up key seven‐membered palladacycles, which are transformed into a variety of isocoumarin derivatives upon reductive elimination. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations provide insight into the reaction pathway.     

A Copper(I) Bis-phenanthroline Complex Buried in Fullerene-Functionalized Dendritic Black Boxes

Virtual inaccessibility to external contact was revealed by electrochemical investigations for a bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I) core embedded in dendrimers with up to 16 peripheral fullerene units (shown schematically). With increasing numbers of fullerene units, less and less light is available to the core, and the small quantity of light energy that reaches the central Cu(I) complex is returned to the external fullerenes by energy transfer-the central core is buried in a dendritic black box.