Synthesis of highly phenylene substituted p-phenylene oligomers from pyrylium salts

A transition metal free route to phenyl substituted oligophenylenes that tolerates halogens is described.     

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic phenylene ethynylene oligomers and their Langmuir-Blodgett films

We report the synthesis of a series of amphiphilic molecular building blocks that can be self-assembled at the air-water interface to form two- and three-dimensional nanostructures with tunable optoelectronic properties. Compression of these molecular building blocks using the Langmuir-Blodgett method gives rise to monolayer and multilayer thin films with different packing densities and electronic properties that are tunable due to varying pi-pi (hydrophobic) interactions. Depending on the noncovalent interaction between chromophores, we observe a transition toward denser packing with increasing number of phenylene ethynylene repeat units. Additionally, we use quantum-chemical simulations to help determine the excited-state electronic structure, intermolecular interactions, and packing trends. Our results demonstrate that the interplay between dipole-dipole and pi-pi interactions dominates the formation of thin films with various packing densities and determines the associated optical properties.     

Synthesis and ring‐opening polymerization of macrocyclic (arylene thioether ketone) oligomers

Macrocyclic (arylene thioether ketone) oligomers together with a linear poly(phenylene sulfide ketone) oligomer were synthesized by a one‐step reaction. The macrocycles and linear oligomer were fully characterized by ¹³C‐NMR, H‐NMR, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FT‐IR. Uncatalyzed, simultaneously ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of the macrocycles and the mixture of macrocycles and linear oligomer were carried out under dynamic heating conditions. The ROP temperature of the macrocycles decreased upon mixing it with the linear oligomer. The ROP conditions and mechanism were investigated and discussed. The macrocycles and their mixture show potential applications in high temperature adhesives and sealants. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers. V. Functionalization at molecular terminals toward optoelectronic device applications

We report the synthesis of various thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers with a total number of thiophene and benzene (phenylene) rings of 5 and 6 with various terminal groups. Those terminal groups have been chosen from among alkyl groups, methoxy groups, trifluoromethyl groups, and cyano groups. The molecular backbone of these compounds comprises phenyl‐ or biphenylyl‐capped thiophene (or oligothiophene) or an alternating co‐oligomer. The synthesis is based on either the Suzuki coupling reaction or the Negishi coupling reaction. These reaction schemes enabled us to obtain the target compounds in high quality. In particular, the latter coupling method turned out to produce the compounds at a high yield. The terminal groups are expected to produce various functionalities based upon their electron donating character (alkyl groups and methoxy groups) or electron withdrawing character (trifluoromethyl groups and cyano groups). Additionally some of these groups bring about enhanced solubility. This will lead to the production of a diversity of modified compounds of thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers. To give an example that demonstrates usefulness of the target compounds, we present optoelectronic data that are associated with their device applications.     

Photoinduced electron and energy transfer in phenylene oligomers

Phenylene oligomers represent a borderline case between very strongly π-conjugated molecular wires such as oligo-p-phenylene vinylenes and saturated molecular bridges. Even subtle chemical modifications of phenylene oligomers can therefore have a strong impact on charge transfer rates and mechanisms. On the basis of recently published selected case studies, this tutorial review discusses the key factors that affect charge transfer kinetics in phenylene oligomers with particular focus on the role of donor-bridge energy matching. Selected examples of triplet-triplet energy transfer reactions across phenylene oligomers are also discussed.     

Silazane oligomers and polymers with phenylene spacing groups

Heating N,N′-diphenyltetramethylcyclodisilazane with phenylenediamines in the melt at temperatures over 200°C was found to yield oligomers composed of linear and cyclic disilazane units interlinked by phenylene groups. Increasing the temperature of the reaction of meta- and particularly para-phenylenediamine over 300°C promotes formation of crosslinked, infusible, and insoluble polymeric material. The succeeding steps of growth of the polymer molecules, which include cyclodisilazane ring cleavage, transaminations, and recyclizations, have been studied by elemental and spectroscopic analyses of the intermediate low molecular and oligomeric species in the distillable and nonvolatile products of the reactions.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(oxyethylene)s containing thioether,sulfoxide, or sulfone groups

Poly[oxy(ethylthiomethyl)ethylene] (ETE) was prepared from poly[oxy (chloromethyl)ethylene] (CE) by reaction with sodium ethanethiolate. Sulfoxide and sulfone analogues were synthesized by oxidation of the poly[oxy(ethylthiomethyl)ethylene]. By changing the chloromethyl/sodium ethanethiolate ratio, poly[oxy (chloromethyl)ethylene-co-oxy(ethylthiomethyl)ethylene] (CE-ETEs) were easily made. Poly[oxy(ethylsulfinylmethyl)ethylene] (ESXE), poly[oxy(chloromethyl)ethylene-co-oxy(ethylsulfinylmethyl)ethylene] (CE-ESXEs), poly[oxy(ethylsulfonylmethyl)ethylene] (ESE), and poly[oxy(chloromethyl)ethylene-co-oxy(ethylsulfonylmethyl)ethylene] (CE-ESEs) were obtained by oxidation of ETE or CE-ETEs. There was little if any chain degradation. The (co)polymer structures were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopic studies. Their thermal properties were studied by DSC and TGA. T_gs of ETE, ESXE, and ESE were -57, 36, and 57°C, respectively, and T_d,os (initial decomposition temperature, TGA) were 331, 198, and 308°C, respectively. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 793–801, 1998     

Synthesis of thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers. II [1]. Block and alternating co‐oligomers

We report the synthesis of block and alternating thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers that is based either on the Suzuki coupling reaction or on the Grignard reaction. These reaction schemes enable us to obtain the target compounds at reasonably high yields. The resulting materials have been fully characterized through the solid‐state ¹³C nmr and Fourier‐transform ir as well as the ¹H nmr. Of these, the solid‐state ¹³C nmr and ir are particularly useful in characterizing the materials of higher molecular weight, since those materials are difficult to dissolve in organic solvents.     

Synthesis and testing of new end-functionalized oligomers for molecular electronics

Several new classes of oligomers have been synthesized with functionalities designed to aid in the understanding of molecular device behavior, specifically when molecules are interfaced between proximal electronic probes. The compounds synthesized are series of azobenzenes, bipyridines and oligo(phenylene vinylene)s that bear acetyl-protected thiols for ultimate attachment to metallic surfaces. Some initial electrochemical and solid-state test results are also reported.     

Synthesis of terphenyl oligomers as molecular electronic device candidates

Six functionalized bis(phenylene ethynylene)-p,p-terphenyls (BPETs) have been synthesized as potential molecular electronic devices. The molecules containing mono- and dinitro terphenyl cores, were rationally designed based on the electronic properties recently found in oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s (OPEs). From our understanding of the conductance properties in OPEs, improvement of electronic properties may be possible by using BPETs due to a higher rotational barrier between the central aromatic rings of the compounds prepared here. BPETs cores were functionalized with nitro groups and with different metallic adhesion moieties (alligator clips) to provide new compounds for testing in the nanopore and planar testbed structures.     

Flexibility of phenylene oligomers revealed by single molecule spectroscopy

The rigidity of a p-phenylene oligomer (p-terphenyl) has been investigated by single molecule confocal fluorescence microscopy. Two different rylene diimide dyes attached to the terminal positions of the oligomer allowed for wavelength selective excitation of the two chromophores. In combination with polarization modulation the spatial orientation of the transition dipoles of both end groups could be determined independently. We have analyzed 597 single molecules in two different polymer hosts, polymethylmethacrylate and Zeonex. On average we find a 22 degrees deviation from the linear gas phase geometry (T = 0 K), indicating a rather high flexibility of the p-phenylene oligomer independent of the matrix. To substantiate our experimental results, we have performed quantum chemical calculations at the density functional theory level for the molecular geometry and the electronic excitations. Our findings are in agreement with former experiments on the persistence length of poly(p-phenylenes).     

苯硫醚环状低聚物的合成与初步聚合研究

以硫化钠和对二氯苯为原料,加入锂盐复合助剂,在六甲基磷酰三胺溶剂中,常压下合成了苯硫醚环状低聚物（CPS）,研究了助剂用量、单体浓度和反应时间等条件的影响,并对合成的产物进行了初步表征和热聚合试验。结果表明：采用助剂后,可以在提高反应物浓度、缩短反应时间的同时,得到较高的合成产率;合成产物的红外、紫外光谱与文献一致;CPS的热聚合产率高。     

Synthesis and characterization of polymethacrylates containing conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s as side chains

In order to form suitable systems designed for resonance energy transfer, a series of monodisperse methacrylate‐based monomers containing rigid π‐conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylenes) with different sizes of the conjugated systems ( M1 – M3 ), and therefore different optoelectronic properties, were synthesized and subsequently polymerized using the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization technique ( P1 – P3 ). In addition, these oligomers were also copolymerized with methyl methacrylate. The obtained polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, and analytical ultracentrifugation. The photophysical properties of the polymers were studied by UV–vis absorption and emission spectroscopy in diluted solutions as well as in thin films and compared to the photophysics of the corresponding monomers. Thereby, changes going from monomeric to polymeric systems could be detected in fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes pointing to energy trapping, e.g., energy transfer. Donor–acceptor copolymers containing different numbers of monomeric units within the side chain exhibit differences in the emission spectra, indicating that energy trapping in polymers is very sensitive to structural properties such as the chain length. UV–vis absorption spectroscopy as well as time‐resolved lifetime studies indicate intrapolymer and interpolymer energy transfer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Theoretical study of helix formation in substituted phenylene ethynylene oligomers

Theoretical investigations of the relative stabilities of helical vs extended forms of phenylene ethynylene oligomers established that MMFF molecular mechanics was more useful than AM1 or DFT for calculating helical structures and for estimating relative energies. At the level of MMFF, theory predicts that for o- or m-oligophenylene ethynylenes, helix formation is enthalpically favored for ester and ether-substituted oligomers. In contrast to simple electron-demand predictions, we predict that the position of substituents can make a substantial difference in the tendency to form helices.     

Synthesis of thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers. III . thienyl‐capped oligophenylenes

The author reports the synthesis of thienyl‐capped oligophenylenes via improved synthetic schemes. These schemes are based on either the Grignard or Suzuki coupling reaction and enable the author to obtain the target compounds at appreciably high yields. Regarding several of these compounds, their synthesis and characterization are believed to be reported for the first time. The resulting materials have been fully characterized through the nmr and ir spectroscopy. The ir analysis is particularly useful in characterizing the materials of higher molecular weight, since those materials are difficult to dissolve in organic solvents.     

Synthesis of thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers. I. Phenyl‐capped oligothiophenes

We report the synthesis of phenyl‐capped oligothiophenes via improved synthetic schemes. These schemes are based on the Grignard coupling reaction and enable us to obtain the target compounds at high yields. The resulting materials have been fully characterized through nmr and ir spectroscopies. The ir analysis is particularly useful in characterizing the materials of higher molecular weight, since those materials are difficult to dissolve in organic solvent. We also show an improvement on preparation of halogenated (oligo)thiophenes that are used as intermediates for synthesizing the target compounds. An alternative synthetic route to the phenyl‐capped oligothiophenes that utilizes the Suzuki coupling reaction is presented as well.     

Synthesis of polyphenylene ether and thioether ketones

The known polymerization of 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone (DFB) with the dianion of hydroquinone to poly(phenylene ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and polymerization of either DFB with the dianion of 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone or self polycondensation of the anion of 4-hydroxy-4′-fluoro-benzophenone to poly(phenylene ether ketone) (PEK) were studied in N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone (CHP), which is a high-boiling aprotic polar solvent. The formation of high-molecular weight PEEK and PEK in this solvent was very efficient. The reactivity in CHP can be ascribed to effective solvation of metal ions rendering the anion very reactive toward nucleophilic substitution. The polymerization was extended to 4,4′-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)diphenyl ether and 1,4-bis[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)phenoxy]benzene to give a high molecular weight polymer with PEK and PEEK repeating units and PEEK respectively. The polymerization of DFB with purified anhydrous sodium sulfide in CHP gave rapidly a high molecular weight poly(phenylene ketone sulfide) (PKS). In contrast, diphenyl sulfone (DPS) was not very effective in obtaining such a high molecular weight PKS even with prolonged heating, which suggests the uniqueness of CHP in promoting a high degree of polymerization.     

From sulfoxide precursors to model oligomers of conducting polymers

The gas-phase internal elimination (E(i)) reaction of the sulfoxide (-SO-CH(3)) precursors of ethylene and model oligomers of PPV and PITN has been investigated by means of Hartree-Fock, M?ller-Plesset (second and fourth order), and Density Functional Theory (B3LYP, MPW1K) calculations. Considerable differences between the obtained ground state and transition state geometries and the calculated activation energies are observed from one approach to the other, justifying first a careful calibration against the results of a benchmark CCSD(T) study of the E(i) reaction leading to ethylene. In comparison with the CCSD(T) results, as well as with available experimental data, DFT calculations along with the MPW1K functional are found to be a very appropriate choice for describing the E(i) pathway. The leading conformations of the precursors, the relevant transition state structures, and the energy barriers encountered along the lowest energy path to unsubstituted, alpha and beta chloro-, methoxy-, and cyano-substituted ethylene, styrene, stilbene in its cis and trans forms, and at last trans-biisothianaphthene have therefore been identified and characterized in detail employing DFT (MPW1K). Depending on the substituents attached to the C(alpha) and C(beta) atoms, different reaction mechanisms are observed.