Sensitivity and Resolution Development of Spiropyran‐based Molecular Photoswitches

The phenylazo moiety and its donor‐ and acceptor‐substituted derivatives are studied as effective auxochromes to improve their sensitivity and resolution for distinguishing between the spiro (SP; OFF) and mero (ON) forms in molecular photoswitching applications. Thus, 13 azospiropyran derivatives were synthesized and their spectroscopic and photokinetic behaviors were studied. The quality of photochromic reactions of the synthesized photochromic compounds were compared using a dose–response model. Interestingly, by replacing the nitro group in 6‐nitrospiropyran (ε = 0.42 × 10⁴ M^?1 cm^?1) with a simple phenylazo moiety, the SP form is still colorless and the color intensity of the merocyanine (MC) form is improved desirably by extending the conjugation length ( 1a , ε = 1.35 × 10⁴ M^?1 cm^?1). The presence of a hydrophilic OH group or a CH₃ group at the para position of phenylazo moiety revealed more or less the same photochromic properties as 1a . The OCH₃ group substituted at position 6 of the phenylazo moiety at the para position of the azobenzene moiety effectively increased the photochromic properties with the maximum k‐value for SP to MC switching. Meanwhile, Cl, Br, COOH, and NO₂ groups at the para position of the azobenzene moiety revealed the reduction in photochromic properties compared to 1a .     

含硝基一代光致变色液晶树枝状大分子的光化学研究

研究了树外围含12个硝基偶氮苯基元新型一代碳硅烷光致变色液晶树枝状大分子G1和基元小分子M1在溶液中的最大吸收波长、摩尔消光系数、反-顺光化学异构化反应速率常数、热回复异构化反应速率常数、光化学回复异构化反应平衡常数及速率常数. G1的光致变色反应速率常数的数量级为10^－1 s^－1, 而含偶氮基元液晶聚硅氧烷的光致变色反应速率常数的数量级为10^－8 s^－1, 因此液晶树枝状大分子的光响应速率比后者快10⁷倍. G1的光回复异构化反应平衡常数k_t /k_c为1.76～1.77, 有作为光控开关材料的应用前景.     

Synthesis and Photochromic Behaviour of Novel 2H‐1‐Benzopyrans (=2H‐Chromenes) Derived from Carbazololes

The synthesis and photochromic properties of new 2,2‐diphenyl‐2H‐1‐benzopyrans, fused to an indole moiety, are described. All compounds exhibit photochromic behaviour in solution at room temperature. The heteroanellation effects are variable and depend on the position and geometry of the fused indole moiety. A general bathochromic shift in the spectra of the open forms is observed. The presence of a N‐methyl group prevents the broadening of the absorption spectra and promotes the instability of some photoinduced forms of compounds with the indole moiety fused at the 5,6 positions of the 2H‐1‐benzopyran skeleton. The enhanced photocolouration efficiency in the near‐UV and the kinetics of thermal bleaching indicate that the novel compounds with an indole moiety fused at the 6,7 positions, particularly those with a linked thiophene moiety, are very interesting molecules for applications in the field of variable optical absorption systems.     

Synthesis and characterization of a photochromic magnesium(II) coordination polymer based on a naphthalene diimide ligand

Naphthalene diimides, which are planar, chemically robust and redox‐active, are an attractive class of electron‐deficient dyes, which can undergo a single reversible one‐electron reduction to form stable radical anions in the presence of electron donors upon irradiation. This makes them excellent candidates for organic linkers in the construction of photochromic coordination polymers. Such a photochromic one‐dimensional linear coordination polymer has been prepared using N ,N ′‐bis(3‐carboxyphenyl)naphthalene‐1,8:4,5‐tetracarboximide (H₂BBNDI). Crystallization of H₂BBNDI with magnesium nitrate in an N ,N ′‐dimethylformamide (DMF)/ethanol/H₂O mixed‐solvent system under solvothermal conditions afforded the one‐dimensional coordination polymer catena‐poly[[bis(dimethylformamide‐κO )magnesium(II)]‐bis[μ‐N‐(3‐carboxylatophenyl)‐N ′‐(3‐carboxylphenyl)naphthalene‐1,8:4,5‐tetracarboximide‐κ²O :O ′]], [Mg(C₂₈H₁₃N₂O₈)₂(C₃H₇NO)₂]_n . The asymmetric unit contains half of a magnesium cation, one HBBNDI⁻ ligand and one DMF molecule. Two partially deprotonated HBBNDI⁻ ligands bridge two magnesium cations to form a one‐dimensional chain. Strong inter‐chain π–π interactions between the naphthalene rings of the HBBNDI⁻ ligand and the imide rings of adjacent chains provide a two‐dimensional structure. The supramolecular three‐dimensional framework is stabilized by π–π interactions between naphthalene rings of neighbouring two‐dimensional supramolecular networks. The complex exhibits a reversible photochromic behaviour, which may originate from the photoinduced electron‐transfer generation of radicals in the HBBNDI⁻ ligand.     

Efficient synthesis and photochromic properties of 2,3-position hybrid diarylethene derivatives

An efficient synthetic method was proposed to synthesize some 2,3-position hybrid diarylethene derivatives. In these compounds, one of thiophene rings was attached to the ethylene moiety at 2-position, the other at 3-position. These asymmetric diarylethenes are sensitive at wavelengths in the region of 400 and 500 nm. They can undergo thermally irreversible and fatigue-resistant photochromic reactions in solution, some of them even in the solid state. Substituent effects on their photochromism were examined.     

Fast switching immobilized photochromic dyes

A novel photochromic dye conjugate architecture is described, which allows both covalent tethering to a polymeric host matrix and fast photochromic switching. The new conjugates consist of a photochromic dye covalently bound to two different substituents via a Y‐branching linker (hetero Y‐branching), one being a polymerizable methacrylate moiety and the other a soft (low T_g) poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomer. The novel conjugates gave faster photochromic decoloration in the host lens matrix compared with the electronically equivalent nonmatrix‐bound and unconjugated parent control dyes. In addition, further acceleration of fade speed kinetics was observed with a longer linker between photochromic dye and methacrylate moiety. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

A two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymer based on naphthalenediimide: synthesis,crystal structure and photochromic properties

Naphthalenediimides, a class of organic dyes with an expanded π‐electron‐deficient plane, have attracted considerable interest because of their photoinduced electron transfer from neutral organic moieties to stable anionic radicals. This makes them excellent candidates for organic linkers in the construction of photochromic coordination polymers. Such a photochromic two‐dimensional coordination polymer has been prepared using N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)naphthalene‐1,8:4,5‐bis(dicarboximide) (DPMNI). In crystallization tubes, upon slow diffusion of an MeOH solution of cadmium perchlorate into a CHCl₃ solution of DPMNI, the complex poly[[bis[μ₂‐2,7‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)benzo[imn][3,8]phenanthroline‐1,3,6,8(2H,7H)‐tetrone‐κ²N:N′]bis(perchlorato‐κO)cadmium(II)] chloroform tetrasolvate], {[Cd(C₂₆H₁₆N₄O₄)₂(ClO₄)₂]·4CHCl₃}_n, (I), was obtained. The asymmetric unit contains one Cd²⁺ cation, two DPMNI ligands, two coordinated ClO₄⁻ anions and four CHCl₃ solvent molecules. Each Cd²⁺ cation is interconnected by four DPMNI linkers to generate a neutral two‐dimensional naphthalenediimide coordination network with all the ClO₄⁻ anions above or below this plane. Strong interlaminar anion–π interactions between the coordinated ClO₄⁻ anions and the imide rings of an adjacent layer lead to a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. Compound (I) exhibits reversible photochromic behaviour and photocontrolled tunable luminescence properties, which may originate from the photoinduced electron‐transfer generation of radicals in the DPMNI ligand.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Photochromic Properties of Novel Naphthopyrans with Hydrazone Unit Residue

A series of naphthopyrans with hydrazone unit ( 8a – 8m ), were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and HRMS. The photochromic properties were investigated under continuous irradiation, in particular regard to the fatigue resistance and the lifetime of the colored open form in solution and polymers. The results showed that these compounds had both good photochromic properties and high fatigue resistance. Detailed studies showed that representative compound 8d (3,3‐di‐4‐methoxybenzoic acid methylenehydrazino‐[3H]‐naphtho [2,1‐b]pyran) had good photochromic properties in THF solution, in solid state, and in polymers, and exhibited a significant bathochromic shift in the spectra of the open forms compared to known naphthopyrans 9 (3,3‐diphenyl‐[3H]‐naphtho[2,1‐b]pyran). On the other hand, the higher melting points of target compounds are promising for the polymer film preparation through hot‐melt method.     

New photochromic 1,1,3-trimethylspiro[benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>]indoline-2,3′-[3<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>]-pyrano[3,2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>]quinoline]

A new photochromic spiropyran of the benzoindoline series containing the quinoline moiety was synthesized. Its structure was determined by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the new compound was established by X-ray diffraction. The photochromic properties of the synthesized spiropyran were investigated.     

Study on structural properties and solution dynamics of zinc complexes with the (N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl ligand

The reaction of {C,N-[Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₃(CH₂NMe₂)-2)]}Li, (FcN)Li, with zinc chloride affords the diorganozinc complex (FcN)₂Zn (1). In solution, 1 appears as a mixture of rac and meso diastereomers, whereas in the solid state it crystallizes solely as a rac diastereomer. The ratio of rac/meso diastereomers in solution is solvent-, temperature- and concentration-dependent, consistent with an intermolecular exchange between diastereomers. An intramolecular dynamic phenomenon involving dissociation and recoordination of Zn---N bonds was also observed. The reaction of 1 with zinc chloride yields the monoorganozinc compound (FcN)ZnCl (2) as a slightly soluble yellow microcrystalline powder.     

Photoisomerization of PtII Complexes Containing Two Different Photochromic Chromophores: Boron Chromophore versus Dithienylethene Chromophore

In order to examine competitive photoisomerization, a series of novel photochromic Pt^II molecules that contain both dithienylethene (DTE) and B(ppy)Mes₂ units (ppy=2-phenylpyridine, Mes=mesityl) were successfully synthesized and fully structurally characterized. Their photochromic properties were examined by UV/Vis, emission and NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the DTE unit in all three compounds is the preferred photoisomerization site, exhibiting reversible photochromism with irradiation. The B(ppy)Mes₂ unit does not undergo photoisomerization in these molecules, but likely enhances the photoisomerization quantum efficiency of the DTE moiety through the antenna effect. Extended irradiation with UV light leads to the rearrangement of the ring-closed isomers of DTE. TD-DFT computational studies indicate that the DTE photocyclization proceeds via a triplet pathway through an efficient energy transfer process.     

One-pot synthesis of conformationally restricted spirooxindoles

Diastereomeric three-, five- and six-membered spirocycloalkyloxindoles were successfully synthesized in a rapid and convenient manner from readily accessible starting materials in moderate to high yields using 1-methyl-3-acetonitriloxindole after a one-pot base-mediated double-alkylation strategy. It was found that the diastereoselection is dependent on the reaction conditions and the spirocycloalkyl ring size, with the 3R^∗,8R^∗ diastereomers being thermodynamically favored under the basic reaction conditions for three- and five-membered rings, and the 3R^∗,8S^∗ diastereomer in the case of six-membered rings, as predicted by DFT calculations. The relative stereochemistry was supported by 2D NMR spectra and X-ray crystal structural analysis. The conformational rigidity of the spirocycloalkyloxindoles in solution was established based on NMR experimental and theoretical DFT approaches.     

Achieving Enhanced Photochromic Properties of Diarylethene through Host-Guest Interaction in Aqueous Solution

Diarylethene (DTE) has been widely used in fluorescence probes, molecular logic gates, optical data-storage devices owing to the excellent photochromic property, while constructing high-performance photochromic DTE in aqueous media remains a big challenge. Herein we present several host-guest systems formed between cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n], n=7, 8, 10) and two water-soluble DTE derivatives 1 and 2 . It was found that host-guest interactions not only affect the photophysical properties of photochromic guests, but also make great differences on the photoreaction process. Different host-guest binding behaviors also lead to different effects on the photochromic properties of guests. In the presence of CB[n], both 1 and 2 showed enhanced emission and higher fluorescence quenching ratio at photostationary state. Besides, CB[10] ⋅1 exhibited faster response rate in cyclization reaction and better photofatigue resistance than free 1 in aqueous solution, while the supramolecular assembly of (CB[8])_n ⋅ ( 2 )_n showed slower response rate in both directions of the reversible photoreaction. Besides, the photofatigue resistance of 2 can be greatly improved through binding with CB[7]. Our results suggest that host-guest interactions could be an efficient way to improve photochromic properties of DTE in aqueous solution.     

NMR and Molecular Mechanics Studies on Configurational Isomerism and Conformational Equilibrium of Chiral Cyclohexenones

Chiral diastereomers of 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-6-(4-phenyl)benzylcyclohex-2-enone and their isomer 2-(4-phenylbenzyl)-3-methyl-6-isopropylcyclohex-2-enone, which are products of an acid-catalyzed intramolecular rearrangement of 3R,6R-2-(4-phenylbenzylidene)-3-methyl-6-isopropylcyclohexanone, were investigated to show that conformational analysis by molecular mechanics and ¹H NMR spectroscopy permits an integrated solution of three structural problems: double bond location in an aliphatic ring for isomeric products; determination of the stereochemical configuration for the two diastereomers; evaluation of the conformational equilibrium between the diastereomers. Based on the results of calculations, this is achieved by estimating the configuration- and conformation-sensitive proton spin–spin coupling constants of the cyclohexenone ring for alternative structures and correlating them with ¹H NMR data.     

Anti-Aromatic versus Induced Paratropicity: Synthesis and Interrogation of a Dihydro-diazatrioxa[9]circulene with a Proton Placed Directly above the Central Ring

We present a high-yielding intramolecular oxidative coupling within a diazadioxa[10]helicene to give a dihydro-diazatrioxa[9]circulene. This is the first [n]circulene containing more than eight ortho-annulated rings (n>8). The single-crystal X-ray structure reveals a tight columnar packing, with a proton from a pendant naphthalene moiety centred directly above the central nine-membered ring. This distinct environment induces a significant magnetic deshielding effect on that particular proton as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The origin of the deshielding effect was investigated computationally in terms of the NICS values. It is established that the deshielding effect originates from an induced paratropic ring current from the seven aromatic rings of the [9]circulene structure, and is not due to the nine-membered ring being antiaromatic. UV/Vis spectroscopy reveals more efficient conjugation in the prepared diazatrioxa[9]circulene compared to the parent helical azaoxa[10]helicenes, and DFT calculations, including energy levels, confirm the experimental observations.     

Anti‐Aromatic versus Induced Paratropicity: Synthesis and Interrogation of a Dihydro‐diazatrioxa[9]circulene with a Proton Placed Directly above the Central Ring

We present a high‐yielding intramolecular oxidative coupling within a diazadioxa[10]helicene to give a dihydro‐diazatrioxa[9]circulene. This is the first [n]circulene containing more than eight ortho‐annulated rings (n>8). The single‐crystal X‐ray structure reveals a tight columnar packing, with a proton from a pendant naphthalene moiety centred directly above the central nine‐membered ring. This distinct environment induces a significant magnetic deshielding effect on that particular proton as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The origin of the deshielding effect was investigated computationally in terms of the NICS values. It is established that the deshielding effect originates from an induced paratropic ring current from the seven aromatic rings of the [9]circulene structure, and is not due to the nine‐membered ring being antiaromatic. UV/Vis spectroscopy reveals more efficient conjugation in the prepared diazatrioxa[9]circulene compared to the parent helical azaoxa[10]helicenes, and DFT calculations, including energy levels, confirm the experimental observations.     

Bistable photoswitching in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with spironaphthoxazine hydrogel for optical data storage

A bistable switching photochromic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with spironaphthoxazine hydrogel copolymer (PNIPA-SPO-BIS) has been designed and synthesized by radical polymerization. The PNIPA-SPO-BIS copolymer is identified by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, FIT-IR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The morphology of the internal microstructures of the PNIPA-SPO-BIS hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PNIPA-SPO-BIS copolymer showed excellent photochromic behavior in water solution and in gel state. In addition, erasable and rewritable (EARW) photoimaging on the PNIPA-SPO-BIS hydrogel was successfully demonstrated. A novel optical data storage materials based on photochromic hydrogel was developed. These developments are crucial for fundamental studies and eventual technical application for all-photo mode high-density optical data storage.     

Novel Bisthienylethene Containing Ferrocenyl‐Substituted Naphthalimide: A Photo‐ and Redox Multi‐Addressable Molecular Switch

A new photochromic bisthienylethene system (BTE? NAFc) is reported in which the ferrocene unit (Fc) is incorporated into a naphthalimide chromophore as the central ethene bridging unit. The incorporated Fc unit in the photochromic system of BTE? NAFc has several effects on optical properties, such as fluorescence‐modulation through photoinduced electron transfer (PET), a decrease in the photochromic cyclization quantum yield, and a selective two‐step oxidation process. The ability to drive ring‐opening and ring‐closing reactions with a secondary redox‐modulation provides increased functionality to the photochromic system. Based on these meaningful photo‐ and redox‐modulation properties, five unprecedented multi‐addressable states (BTE? NAFc, BTE? NAFc⁺, c‐BTE? NAFc, c‐BTE? NAFc⁺, and BTE⁺? NAFc⁺) and gated photochromism are successfully obtained within the unimolecular BTE platform, thus providing deeper insight into photochromic systems as multifunctional outputs.     

Assignment of absolute configuration at phosphorus of P-chiral diastereomers of deoxyribonucleoside methanephosphonamidates by means of NMR spectroscopy

Recently, we have prepared a novel class of DNA analogues containing the [3′-NH-P(CH₃)(O)-O-5′] methanephosphonamidate linkage. Synthesis of such analogues requires preparation of the dinucleoside methanephosphonamidates N×N, where N is a 2′-deoxyribonucleoside moiety and × is the methanephosphonamidate linkage. Dimers T×T and C×T were obtained in a non-stereospecific manner giving rise to a pair of P-chiral diastereomers. Such diastereomers were effectively separated into fast and slow migrating ones by means of chromatographic methods (TLC). As described in our previous work (Nawrot et al. Nucleic Acids Res.1998, 26, 2650), the stereochemistry of the phosphorus chiral center of T×T fast migrating diastereomer is R_P and of T×T slow migrating diastereomer is S_P, as established by means of 2D ROESY experiments. Here we describe assignment of the absolute configuration at the phosphorus center of fast and slow migrating diastereomers of C×T dimer. The 2D ROESY sequence with phosphorus decoupling during acquisition used in these measurements allowed observation of the P-Me group as a singlet instead of a ¹H-³¹P-coupled doublet. The apparent advantage of this approach was a much better signal to noise ratio and improved resolution in the F1 dimension. For the fast migrating C×T diastereomer an R_P and for slow migrating C×T diastereomer an S_P configuration was assigned. Conformational analysis of both pairs of diastereomers T×T and C×T indicates significant differences in sugar ring puckering, which strongly depend on the nature of the nucleobase at the 5′-terminus of the dimer. The ribose rings of the 3′-amino-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine moiety of both diastereomers of C×T adopt predominantly a C3′-endo (North) conformation, while thymine-substituted ribofuranoses originating either from C×T or T×T dimers prefer a C2′-endo (South) conformation.     

Differentiation among the four diastereomers of benzyloxycarbonyl-protected γ-hydroxyornithine in negative-ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Discrimination among the four γ-hydroxyornithine diastereomers was studied by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS). It is impossible to distinguish among the four diastereomers of this amino acid by positive- and negative-ion FAB and collisionally activated dissociation MS, but benzyloxycarbonyl group protection of the α- and δ-amino groups in γ-hydroxyornithine allows differentiation among the diastereomers in negative-ion FABMS. The negative-ion mass spectra of benzyloxycarbonyl-protected γ-hydroxyornithine diastereomers showed differences among the abundances of the molecule ion [M – H]^-, the dehydrated ion [M — H — H₂O]^- due to the loss of the γ-hydroxyl group and the fragment ions formed from both [M — H]^- and [M — H — H₂O]^- ions. On the other hand, no difference was found between the fragmentations of the benzyloxycarbonyl-protected enantiomers of ornithine in negative-ion FABMS. These results indicate that the orientation of the γ-hydroxyl group and the existence of two benzene rings in the benzyloxycarbonyl group are important factors which are responsible for the fragmentations of the four benzyloxycarbonyl-protected γ-hydroxyornithine diastereomers in negative-ion FABMS. These studies also showed that the negative-ion FABMS for benzyloxycarbonyl-protected γ-hydroxyornithine diastereomers is a useful method for determining the configuration of each diastereomer of γ-hydroxyornithine.