Intramolecular formation of excimers in model compounds for polyesters obtained from 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and cyclohexanediols

The fluorescence in dilute solution has been measured as a function of solvent viscosity for four bichromophoric models for polyesters with naphthalene in the rigid aromatic unit and diols derived from cyclohexane as the flexible spacer. The spacers are 1,2-cis-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-trans-cyclohexanediol, a 1:2 mixture of 1,3-cis- and 1,3-trans-cyclohexanediols, and a 1:2 mixture of 1,4-cis- and 1,4-trans-cyclohexanediols. The shape of the emission spectra for the molecules in this series is less sensitive to the viscosity of the medium than was the case for an analogous series in which a methylene or oxyethylene spacer replaces the cyclohexanediol spacer. The dependence of the excimer emission on the type of spacer is different also in the series in which the rigid units contain naphthalene or benzene. When the rigid units contain naphthalene, excimer formation is maximal if the spacer contains 1,2-trans-cyclohexanediol, but this spacer produces a molecule with a very small tendency for excimer formation in its polymers with terephthalate. A conformational analysis correctly concludes that the spacer most conducive to excimer formation should be 1,2-trans-cyclohexanediol, but it does not identify the correct order of the remaining three bichromophoric model compounds. The problem may reside in the method for taking into account the finite width of the torsional well associated with each rotational isomer. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Intramolecular excited state complexes in trichromophoric model compounds for polyesters derived from 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and aliphatic glycols: experiment,rotational isomeric state model,and molecular dynamics

Steady‐state fluorescence was used to measure the ratio of emission intensities, denoted I_D/I_M, for excited state complexes and excited monomers of five trichromophoric compounds, 2‐naphthyl‐COO‐(CH₂)_m‐OOC‐2,6‐dinaphthyl‐COO‐(CH₂)_m‐OOC‐2‐naphthyl, m = 2–6. The linear aliphatic alcohols H(CH₂)_nOH, n = 1–7, as well as mixtures of ethylene glycol and methanol, were used to change the viscosity of the medium, η. The values of I_D/I_M depend on η and m. A Rotational Isomeric State model and Molecular Dynamics simulations were used for interpretation of the experimental results. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 253–266, 1999     

Effect of the directionality of the ester group on the formation of hairpins in polyesters containing naphthalene and a flexible spacer

Steady-state fluorescence measurements and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study the intramolecular formation of excimers in five model compounds for polyesters containing naphthalene groups separated by flexible spacers. The model compounds are derived from 2-hydroxynaphthalene and HOOC (CH₂)_n COOH, n = 2–6. The ratio of the intensity of excimer and monomer emissions, I_D/I_M, is nearly independent of the viscosity of the medium, η, over the range covered in dilute solution. Although I_D/I_M is always very small, it shows an odd–even effect for the first four members of the series, with maxima when n is odd. Molecular dynamics simulations provide an explanation for the small values of I_D/I_M, their weak dependence on η, and the trend of I_D/I_M with n. The results for the present series of model compounds are compared with previous work, which reported larger values of I_D/I_M, and a stronger dependence of I_D/I_M on η, for bichromophoric compounds derived from 2-naphthoic acid and aliphatic glycols, where the direction of the ester groups is reversed. The origin of the difference in the behavior of I_D/I_M in the two series is identified. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1127–1133, 1997     

The ratio of excimer to monomer emission in diesters of 1-pyrenoic acid and five glycols

The ratio of the intensities of excimer and monomer emission, I_D/I_M, has been measured for Py? COO? (CH₂)_m? OOC? Py (m = 2–6, Py = 1-pyrenyl) in solvents of different viscosity, η. These compounds are dimeric models for the corresponding polymers, selected to eliminate the influence of energy migration on the population of an excimer. The solvents are H(CH₂)_nOH, n = 1–7, and ethylene glycol. The values of I_D/I_M decrease as η increases, and the rate of this decrease is a function of m. Therefore the qualitative dependence of I_D/I_M on m is a function of η. In the limit as η → ∞, I_D/I_M is an odd–even function of m for m = 2–5, and the values at m = 5 and 6 are nearly identical. A rotational-isomeric state analysis of the conformations of the diesters can rationalize the appearance of the odd–even effect. This result is insensitive to assumptions about the extent of overlap of the two pyrene ring systems that is required for the production of emission in the excimer band. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rationalization of the ratio of excimer-to-monomer fluorescence emission intensity in bichromophoric diesters of 1-pyrenoic acid and mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycols

The ratio of excimer to monomer emission intensities, denoted by I_D/I_M, was measured for Py–COO(CH₂CH₂O)_mCO ? Py, where Py denotes the 1-pyrenyl group and m = 1–4, in solvents of different viscosity, η. Three different systems were used to change the viscosity of the medium: (a) Mixtures of methanol and ethylene glycol at 25°C, (b) linear aliphatic alcohols, H(CH₂)_nOH, where n =1–6, also at 25°C, and (c) ethylene glycol over the range 6.6–35°C. The ratio I_D/I_M decreases sharply as η increases, and the rate of the decrease in I_D/I_M is a function of m. Quantitatively, the dependence of I_D/I_M on η at high viscosity, i.e., the slope [d(I_D/I_M)/d(1/η)]_∞, is larger in the present work than in another series of 1-pyrenyl diesters in which the flexible spacer is an oligomer of polyethylene, instead of an oligomer of polyoxyethylene. In the limit where η → ∞, the ratio I_D/I_M assumes its largest value in the bichromophoric compound with m = 2. However, as η decreases the compound with m = 3 becomes the one with the largest I_D/I_M. A complete rotational isomeric state analysis (for the compounds with m = 1–3) and a Monte Carlo simulation (for the compound m = 4) of the conformations of the diesters can rationalize the behavior of I_D/I_M in the high viscosity limit. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Configurations conducive to the formation of intramolecular excimers in poly(N‐vinyl carbazole) and its copolymers

The ratios of the intensity of excimer and monomer emissions, denoted I_E/I_M, in poly(N‐vinyl carbazole) and copolymers of N‐vinyl carbazole and methyl methacrylate were measured with steady‐state fluorescence. Measurements were performed in dilute solutions of several fluid solvents at 25 °C and in a solid matrix of poly(methyl methacrylate) at room temperature. The values of I_E/I_M depended on the nature of the solvent, the emission wavelength, and the copolymer composition. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed for diastereoisomers of 2,4‐di(N‐carbazolyl)pentane and for isotactic and syndiotactic trichromophoric copolymer fragments to assist in the identification of the thermally accessible conformations capable of forming intramolecular excimers and the configurational relationship of the carbazole units in these complexes. Nearest neighbor carbazole groups made the dominant contribution to the excimers. Excimers were more likely in isotactic sequences than in syndiotactic sequences, as was also the case for the low‐energy excimer arising from the complete overlap of two carbazole units. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1272–1281, 2001     

Syntheses and some fluorescence properties of poly(2-methacrylamido-3-arylpropionic acid)

2-Methacrylamido-3-arylpropionic acid, where aryl is 1-naphthyl (M1NpPA), 2-naphthyl (M2NpPA), or 1-pyrenyl (M1PyPA), was synthesized. Free radical polymerization gave polymers which were soluble in water at pH > 6. In aqueous solution, poly(M1NpPA) and poly(M2NpPA) exhibited strong excimer fluorescence as a dominant component, whereas poly(M1PvPA) showed weak monomer fluorescence as a main component. Excitation spectra and fluorescence quenching by Tl⁺ ions suggested that naphthyl groups in poly(M1NpPA) and poly(M2NpPA) interacted so as to form excimer sites, by which migrating excited singlets were trapped, leading to the strong excimer emission. It was suggested, however, that pyrenyl groups in poly(M1PyPA) were sterically so constrained that they could not attain the full-overlap excimer conformation but could only interact to form self-quenching sites, to which energy migration occurred, leading to weak fluorescence. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Acetone solubility and diffusivity in poly(ethylene terephthalate) modified with low levels of 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid,isophthalic acid,and 2,5-bis-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole

A series of random copolyesters was prepared by replacing up to 10 wt.% of the dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with dimethyl 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate (NDC), isophthalic acid (IPA), or 2,5-bis-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (ODCA). Solution cast films of the resulting copolymers were prepared and characterized. Modification of PET with NDC and ODCA led to copolymers with glass transition temperatures higher than that of PET, while modification with IPA decreased the glass transition temperature. Copolymerization decreased crystallinity levels in all cases. The acetone solubility and acetone diffusion coefficient were determined by integral kinetic gravimetric sorption experiments at 35°C and 5.4 cm Hg acetone pressure. PET containing low levels of NDC had lower amorphous phase acetone diffusivity and solubility than PET, while PET modified with IPA had amorphous phase acetone diffusivity and acetone solubility similar to that of PET. PET modified with 5% ODCA had amorphous phase acetone diffusivity similar to that of PET, while PET modified with 10% ODCA had an amorphous phase acetone diffusivity value slightly lower than that of PET. Copolymers containing ODCA had somewhat higher acetone solubilities that PET, due mainly to the lower levels of crystallinity in the ODCA-containing polymers than in PET.     

Enhanced radiation crosslinking of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid to polymers: alkanes as model compounds for polyethylene

The crosslinking of polyethylene by irradiation is enhanced in the presence of acrylic acid. This process has been studied for model compounds; for ¹⁴C-labelled hexadecane, each molecule of polyacrylic acid is linked to an average of 47 hexadecane molecules; at the radiation dose used, this result implies a hitherto unexpected chain reaction. Evidence from ESR spectra indicates an ionic intermediate.     

Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of aliphatic polyesters in organic media: Study of transesterification equilibrium shift and characterization of cyclic compounds

Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of aliphatic polyesters in organic media from methyl diesters and diols was carried out at stoechiometric ratio in the presence of supported lipases (li-pozyme^® and novozyme^®). Two systems were studied to shift the thermodynamic equilibrium which limits the conversion. In the first one, the solution flows through a molecular sieve in which methanol is adsorbed. In the second one, methanol is eliminated by nitrogen bubbling. The system with nitrogen bubbling in hydrophobic solvents at 60°C works best when novozyme^® is used as catalyst. Despite a high fractional conversion (p> 0.99), the number-average molar mass is not very high (M?;_n = 3050 eq. PS). In relation to the nature of monomers, cycles with DP = 2–20 were characterized by chromatographic analyses and mass spectrometry. Their formation explains why high polycondensates cannot be obtained. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The effect of γ‐cyclodextrin addition in the self‐assembly behavior of pyrene labeled poly(acrylic) acid with different chain sizes

The interaction between poly(acrylic acid) polymers (PAA) of low‐ (2000 g/mol) and high‐ (450,000 g/mol) molecular weight (M_w) hydrophobically modified with pyrene (PAAMePy) and β‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins (β‐CD, γ‐CD) was investigated with fluorescent techniques. The interaction with β‐CD promotes little variation in the spectral and photophysical behavior of the polymer, whereas significant changes are observed upon addition of γ‐CD. The degree of inclusion (between the pyrene groups of the polymer and the cyclodextrins) is followed through the observation of the changes in the absorption, excitation (collected in the monomer and excimer emission regions) and emission (I_E/I_M ratio) spectra and from time‐resolved data. Within the studied range of γ‐CD concentration, the fluorescence decays of the long chain (high M_w) PAAMePy polymers were found tri‐exponential in the monomer and excimer emission regions in agreement with previous studies. In the case of the low M_w PAAMePy polymers, tri‐exponential decays were observed at the monomer and excimer emission wavelengths. However, when a γ‐CD concentration of 0.01 and 0.03 M is reached for, respectively, the low‐ and high‐labeled pyrene short chain (low M_w) polymers, the fluorescence decays in the excimer region become biexponential (two excimers) with no rising component, thus showing that all pyrene groups are encapsulated (and preassociated) into the γ‐CD cavity. In the case of the high M_w polymers, the addition of γ‐CD has been found to change the level of polymer interaction from pure intramolecular (water in the absence of cyclodextrin) to a coexistence of intra‐ with intermolecular interactions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1402–1415, 2008     

Fluorescent detection of amidinium-carboxylate and amidinium formation using anthracene-based diamidine: an application for the analysis of dicarboxylic acid binding

An anthracene-based diamidine (1) ‘turn-on’ fluorescent probe for the detection of dicarboxylic acids has been designed and synthesized. The fluorescence spectra of the diamidine 1 with carboxylic acids that showed two different fluorescence bands, which corresponded to the amidinium-carboxylate (λ_em=430-440 nm), and amidinium (λ_em=460-470 nm as a broad band) formation, were confirmed by DOSY NMR and TD-DFT calculations. These different fluorescence bands showed the binding mode of carboxylic acids and the stability of formed complexes toward diamidine 1. The fluorescent detection of amidinium-carboxylate formation using diamidine 1 was applicable to the detection of α,ω-dicarboxylic acids (C₆-C₁₃) and succeeded in the detection of α,ω-dicarboxylic acid (adipic acid) in human urine.     

Conformations, energies, and intramolecular hydrogen bonds in dicarboxylic acids: implications for the design of synthetic dicarboxylic acid receptors

The various conformers of the dicarboxylic acids HO2C--(CH2)n--CO2H, n = 1-4, were obtained using density functional methods (DFT), both in the gas phase and in the aqueous phase using a polarized continuum model (PCM). Several new conformers were identified, particularly for the two larger molecules glutaric (n = 3) and adipic acid (n =4). The PCM results show that the stability of most conformers were affected, many becoming unstable in the aqueous phase; and the energy ordering of conformers is also different. The results suggest that conformational preferences could be important in determining the design and stability of appropriate synthetic receptors for glutaric and adipic acid. Geometry changes between gas and aqueous phases were most marked in those conformers containing an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Additional calculations have probed the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in these dicarboxylic acids. In the cases of glutaric and adipic acid, the strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bond were estimated to be around 28-29 kJ/mol, without any vibrational energy correction. The intramolecular hydrogen bond energies in malonic and succinic acid were also estimated from the calculated H-bond distances using an empirical relationship. Intramolecular H-bond redshifts of 170-250 cm(-1) have been estimated from the results of the harmonic frequency analyses.     

Synthesis and characterization of two isostructural 3d–4f coordination compounds based on pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid and 4,4′‐bipyridine

The design and synthesis of 3d–4f heterometallic coordination polymers have attracted much interest due to the intriguing diversity of their architectures and topologies. Pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂pydc) has a versatile coordination mode and has been used to construct multinuclear and heterometallic compounds. Two isostructural centrosymmetric 3d–4f coordination compounds constructed from pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid and 4,4′‐bipyridine (bpy), namely 4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium diaquabis(μ₂‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)tetrakis(pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bis[4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)pyridinium]cobalt(II)dieuropium(III) octahydrate, (C₁₀H₁₀N₂)[CoEu₂(C₁₀H₉N₂)₂(C₇H₃NO₄)₆(H₂O)₂]·8H₂O, (I), and 4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium diaquabis(μ₂‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)tetrakis(pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bis[4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)pyridinium]cobalt(II)diterbium(III) octahydrate, (C₁₀H₁₀N₂)[CoTb₂(C₁₀H₉N₂)₂(C₇H₃NO₄)₆(H₂O)₂]·8H₂O, (II), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR and fluorescence spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and powder X‐ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P. The Eu^III and Tb^III cations adopt nine‐coordinated distorted tricapped trigonal–prismatic geometries bridged by three pydc^2? ligands. The Co^II cation has a six‐coordination environment formed by two pydc^2? ligands, two bpy ligands and two coordinated water molecules. Adjacent molecules are connected by π–π stacking interactions to form a one‐dimensional chain, which is further extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular network by multipoint hydrogen bonds.     

Immunosensors for pollutants working in organic media. Study of performances of different tracers with luminescent detection

A comparative study of enzymatic and non-enzymatic labels combined with luminescence detection, developed for immunosensing of pesticide residues (carbaryl, 1-naphthol, irgarol 1051) in organic media, is presented. Peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes with fluorogenic (3-p-hydroxyphenylpropanoic acid) and luminogenic (AMPPD derivative) substrates, respectively, were assessed as enzymatic markers. As an alternative, terbium(III) chelate, with time-resolved fluorescence detection, was evaluated as a non-enzymatic label. The best sensitivity was achieved by use of alkaline phosphatase in an immunocomplex capture assay format (I ₅₀ values 0.06, 0.27, and 7.45 μg L⁻¹ in buffer, 1:1 methanol–buffer, and methanol, respectively). Results were also good (I ₅₀ 1.00 and 6.30 μg L⁻¹ for water and aqueous–organic mixture, respectively) for Tb(III) chelate in an immobilized conjugate assay format. Use of alkaline phosphatase label to measure carbaryl (100 ng L⁻¹) in different spiked river water samples, after solid-phase extraction and analyte elution with an ethyl acetate–methanol mixture, resulted in recoveries ranging from 81 to 98%, with acceptable precision (CV 4–14%, n=4).     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in urine with different cyclodextrin media

Alternative and sensitive spectrofluorimetric methods for the determination of hydroxyindoles, such as serotonin (5HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIA), were developed on the basis of supramolecular interaction with cyclodextrin (CD) nanocavities (βCD and hydroxypropyl-βCD, HPCD) at different pH values. Both substrates and receptors have acidic protons, therefore the interactions produced in different systems were considered. The effects of neutral CD at pH 2.00 and 6.994, and of anionic CD at pH 13.00 on the specific acid-base species of the compounds at each pH were determined. In all the conditions studied, the fluorescence of the substrates in the presence of CD increased. The association constants (K_A, mol⁻¹ L) between the substrates and CD were determined (30-300) and interpreted. A zero-crossing first-derivative spectrofluorimetric method with and without HPCD was developed for the simultaneous determination of 5HT and 5HIA. The limits of detection (L_D, ng mL⁻¹) for the best conditions were 0.37 for 5HT and 0.50 for 5HIA at pH 2.00 with HPCD. These L_D proved to be better than others reported. The applicability of the direct and derivative spectrofluorimetric methods to urine samples was demonstrated with good recoveries 92-110% and R.S.D. 1-10%.     

A tentative model for the inhibition and the enhancement of the Ps formation in mixtures of two compounds

In order to explain the so called inhibition of o-Ps formation by certain solutes, a model based on the hypothesis of hot reactions between the o-Ps atoms and the solute molecules has been proposed in previous papers. From this model an equation was derived which not only describes rather well the dependence of the o-Ps survival probability on the inhibitor concentration, but allowed us to make some predictions which were experimentally verified. In the present paper it is reported that the equation mentioned above is a particular solution of a more comprehensive equation which can account, in principle at least, for the general problem of Ps formation in any system of two components.     

Synthesis and properties of polymers containing aromatic amino groups in the main chain and their glass-forming model compounds

Polymers containing di(carbazol-3-yl)phenylamine and N,N^′-di(carbazol-3-yl)-N,N^′-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine units in the main chain have been synthesized by a modified Ullmann condensation as a key step. The number-average molecular weights of the polymers synthesized were in the range of 2300-4800 with a molecular weight distribution of 1.42-2.25. Well defined model compounds of the title polymers were synthesized by stepwise reactions. All the materials exhibit high thermal stability with the initial weight loss temperatures exceeding 320 °C and form glasses. Their glass transition temperatures range from 102 to 216 °C as characterised by differential scanning calorimetry. The electron photoemission spectra of thin films of the synthesized compounds have been recorded and the ionisation potentials of 5.0-5.1 eV have been established.     

Determination of sulphur in liquids obtained by thermal cracking of waste polymers and commercial fuels with different analytical methods

Low sulphur concentration in hydrocarbon products as fuels or lubricants is an important requirement for the high quality standards of refineries. A non-polarised energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRFS) and sample combustion technique (ASTM D6428-99) was compared. A new application of energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry as analytical method for the determination of sulphur in fuels and fuel-like fractions was investigated. Low sulphur containing fuels and hydrocarbon mixtures obtained by thermal cracking of waste polymers were measured and the influence of C/H ratio on accuracy was studied. The concentration of sulphur in samples was measured with calibration graphs of different hydrocarbon matrices (commercial gasoline, diesel oil and white oil were used). Good correlation was observed between the different methods, but the correlation was depending on the characteristics of the matrices. Detection limits of 1.0 ppm, 1.1 ppm and 0.9 ppm were obtained for S in gasoline, diesel oil and white oil, respectively.     

Novel conjugated polymer poly(benzobisoxazole-2,6-diylvinylene): synthesis and evidence of aggregate formation in methanesulfonic acid

A new conjugated polymer poly(benzobisoxazole-2,6-diylvinylene) (PBOV) has been synthesized as an analogue of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO). The comparison between PBOV and PBO has been carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, UV, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The UV absorption peaks, PL excitation and emission wavelengths of PBOV have a significant red-shift due to the better electronic delocalization. Similar to PBO, it can be observed in the PL spectra of PBOV at various concentrations in methanesulfonic acid (MSA) that the intensity of emission was depressed and the highly structured emission spectra gradually changed to featureless, red-shifted, and broad spectra with increasing concentration. The change in emission spectra can be attributed to the existence of the interchain aggregates, although PBOV does not show highly ordered structure as PBO does.