Photophysics of self-assembled monolayers of a π-conjugated quinquethiophene derivative

The photophysics of fully and partially covered self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of a quinquethiophene (5T) derivative have been investigated. The monolayers behave as H-aggregates. The fluorescence of fully covered SAMs is weak and red-shifted, and the extinction is blue-shifted as compared to that of single molecules. The fluorescence of partially covered SAMs is dominated by that of single molecules on the surface. The extinction spectra are similar for fully and partially covered monolayers, which show that even the smallest islands are H-aggregates. The extinction spectra furthermore closely resemble those for 5T single crystals, which demonstrates that in oligothiophene crystals the intermolecular interactions within one layer molecules are stronger than the interlayer electronic coupling.     

Novel π-conjugated molecules based on diimidazopyridine: Significantly improved the photophysical,thermal and electrochemical properties bearing different aryl substituents

A series of π-conjugated molecules based on diimidazolepyridine derivatives were designed, synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction and cyclization reaction and characterized. Diimidazolepyridine motif as the main structure could improve the thermal stability and optical property of the materials. All of the target compounds exhibited good thermal stabilities with T_d values in the range of 416–490?°C. These compounds showed steady blue light emissions in the range of 424–478?nm and high quantum yields (0.33–0.69) in solution. Especially, compound 4f achieved appropriate energy gap (E_g?=?2.69?eV) and high fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_f?=?0.69) because of introducing electron-donating group, such energy gap was helpful to electronic transfer and transport. The materials have great potential for good electronic-transmission materials in OLEDs.     

Chemical sensors based on π-conjugated organic molecules and gold nanoparticles

Scientists have developed techniques for synthesizing and characterizing many new materials including conjugated small molecules, polymers and gold particles protected by conjugated organic chromophores for testing specific sensing properties in the past decade. Still, the design and synthesis or supermolecular systems fabrication of novel materials with controlled sensing properties is a significant and ongoing challenge within nanoscience and nanotechnology. Recently, our group has successfully constructed a series of chemosensors using small organic molecules, conjugated polymers and gold nanoparticles for real-time detection of specific analytes. The chemosensors show high selectivity and sensitivity in the detection of cations and biologic analytes and thus are potentially promising for applications in sensing assay system. In this review, recent sutdies on the design, synthesis and photo-physical properties of novel materials and construct of chemosensors are summarized with an emphasis on the development in our groups in recent years. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20531060, 20721061 & 20873155), and the National Basic Research 973 Programme of China (Grant No. 2007CB936401)     

Syntheses and properties of linear π-conjugated molecules composed of 1-azaazulene and azulene

Two compounds, 6-(1-azaazulen-2-yl)ethynylazulene (8) and 6-(2-azulenyl)ethynylazulene (10), were synthesized using the Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling reaction followed by decarboxylation with concentrated phosphoric acid. Compounds 8 and 10 were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Based on the results, both compounds were confirmed to have π-conjugation throughout their molecular structures. The acidic responsivity of compounds 8 and 10 was evaluated using UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Compound 8 was found to be highly sensitive to trifluoroacetic acid, with its 1-azaazulenyl moiety acting as a base. Compound 10 generated azulenium cations when mixed with excess amounts of trifluoroacetic acid.     

Synthesis of π-conjugated molecules based on 3,4-dioxypyrroles via Pd-mediated decarboxylative cross-coupling

A general scheme for the synthesis of π-conjugated molecules based on 3,4-dioxypyrroles is presented. The π-conjugated molecules were synthesized via Pd-mediated decarboxylative cross-coupling using various 3,4-propylenedioxypyrrole carboxylic acids and aryl bromides, including the base-sensitive electron acceptor 4,7-dibromobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BTD). N-Methylpyrrolidone was used as solvent, Pd(acac)(2) was employed as the palladium source and P(o-tol)(3) as the ligand. The methodology was applied to 3,4-dioxypyrrole monoacids and 3,4-dioxypyrrole diacids to produce multi-ring π-conjugated systems containing phenyl, thiophenyl, BTD, and pyridinyl units. In general, the method has yielded a practical approach for the synthesis of 3,4-dioxypyrrole-based π-conjugated molecules in acceptable to high yields of 44-94%.     

Electrochemical studies and semiempirical calculations on π-conjugated dienones and heterocyclic nitrogen containing donor ligand molecules

Reduction potentials for the first electron transfer to a broad selection of nitrogen containing bi- and polydentate molecules considered as potential ligands have been determined. Results are compared with data obtained with semiempirical and UV-Vis spectroscopic data. Close correlations for the investigated molecules are observed. Systematic differences in properties of molecules with and without the keto moiety can be explained by invoking molecular orbital and surface interaction arguments. Similar structural arguments can be used to explain the behaviour of 2,4,6-tripyridin-2–yl[1,3,5]triazine. UV-Vis data match closely those derived from HOMO-LUMO calculations for these molecules.

Synthesis of 1,2,5,6- and 1,4,5,8-anthracenetetrone: Building blocks for π-conjugated small molecules and polymers

Reliable reactions for the synthesis of two interesting anthracenetetrones have been identified and optimized. Both syntheses start from dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones and were selected for maximized efficiency and minimized workload. Work-up of all reactions can be achieved without column chromatography, which facilitates further scale-up. So far, both target compounds are considerably underexplored despite their promising molecular structure for use in devices and in organic synthesis, especially as building blocks for π-conjugated compounds. The crystal structure of 1,4,5,8-anthracentetrone is reported.     

Polypyrrole on self-assembled monolayers of a pyrrolyl lipoic acid derivative—electrosynthesis and polymer film characterization

The electropolymerization of pyrrole on gold modified by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of a pyrrolyl lipoic acid derivative was investigated in detail and the results compared to those obtained on bare substrates. Both under potentiostatic and potentiodynamic control, a slight blocking action of the underlying SAM could be observed for the initial stages of polymer growth but thereafter the electrochemical features were similar to those collected for polypyrrole (PPy) deposition on bare gold. The morphology and structure of PPy films formed on the SAMs were characterized by atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction, which revealed that those polymer properties are much more influenced by the electrochemical mode of preparation, than by the underlying SAMs. While, when compared to PPy on bare gold, no effect has been detected on thin layers deposited at constant potential, surface areas with rather irregular morphology, as well as a small but beneficial influence in inducing order on the first few layers of the polymer film, have been observed on similar films formed by cyclic voltammetry. The typical globular morphology of PPy has always been observed for relatively thick layers in which the redox behavior, analyzed by in situ AFM, showed an increase in volume of the polymer nodules upon reduction, largely due to the SAM reorganization induced by the applied potential.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of aryl-substituted 2-borylbenzaldimines and their extended π-conjugated congeners

Novel N-aryl-substituted 2-borylbenzaldimines 6 and related systems with extended π-framework 7 based on two borylbenzaldimine units linked by a spacer moiety were synthesized by condensation reactions of 2-(dimesitylboryl)benzaldehyde 3 with various amines 4 and diamines 5. All compounds were completely characterized including X-ray diffraction, especially in view of Lewis acid-base B-O and B-N interactions. The electronic as well as the photophysical properties of bisimines 7 were determined using cyclic voltammetry, UV/vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. These compounds feature large Stokes shifts and reversible reduction waves. Interestingly, UV irradiation experiments unfold enhanced photostability for compounds 7 with an extended π-skeleton. By use of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene we observed the formation of a hitherto unknown BN-heterocyclic compound 9 fused with a perimidine skeleton. Structural and energetic aspects were evaluated by high level quantum chemical methods (DFT and SCS-MP2-calculations).     

Impact of π-conjunction of H-donor and H-acceptor on thermal stability of organic hydrates

For molecules forming in crystal H-bonds stabilized by π-conjugation (RAHB), we introduce the value of such stabilization on the basis of resonance theory. For DNA bases cytosine, thymine, guanine, and adenine, we established the correlation of this value with the melting point of a crystal.     

TEM Study on the Formation Process of TiO2 Nanotubes

The process,that the polycrystalline TiO2 powders were converted into TiO2 nanotubes,was observed with transmission electron microscope.The results obtained indicated that in concentrated NaOH aqueous solution,anisotroplc swelling appears on the polycrystalline TiO2 granula at first,and then the nanotubes are formed.     

Theoretical introduction and design of Si/N catalysts as efficient reducing agents in CO2 hydroboration by planar Si/N π-conjugated molecules

Structural Chemistry - Hydroboration of CO2 has been recognized as a desirable reaction for value-added chemical production. The main aims of this report are to introduce and study the mechanism of...     

Efficient synthesis of mono- and bis-arylated ethylenedioxy thiophene-based functional π-conjugated molecules via clay-supported palladium-catalysed direct arylation reactions

An active Pd catalyst was prepared by the modification of montmorillonite clay. The catalyst was found to be effective for the synthesis of ethylenedioxy thiophene-based π-conjugated molecules. The reaction proceeded through clay-supported Pd-catalysed direct C–H bond activation (arylation) mechanism. Preparation, characterization and application of the catalysts are reported. The products were analysed with LCMS, and comparison with reported spectral data (FT-IR, ¹H NMR). Reusability of clay-supported palladium catalyst towards direct arylation reaction was tested for three reaction cycles without a significant loss of catalytic activity.

     

Synthesis of π-conjugated poly(arylene)s by polycondensation of 1,4-bis(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzene and aryl dibromides through regiospecific C-H functionalization process

On the basis of the Ru-catalyzed regiospecific direct double arylation of benzene rings possessing 3-methylpyridin-2-yl substituents to produce 1-aryl-2-(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzene derivatives, the synthesis of poly(p-phenylene) derivatives having 2,5-bis(3-methylpyridin-2-yl) substituents is described. The reaction of 1,4-bis(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzene with bromobenzene (2 equiv) was carried out in the presence of [RuCl₂(η⁶-C₆H₆)]₂ (5 mol %) in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone at 120°C for 24 h to produce 1,4-bis(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylbenzene in 99% yield as a sole product. Neither 2,6-diphenylated nor further phenylated products was produced under the examined conditions. This regiospecific double arylation process was then applied to the synthesis of π-conjugated polymers by use of aryl dibromides such as 1,4-dibromobenzene, 2,7-dibromo-9,9-dihexylfluorene, and 2,5-dibromothiophene. For example, a polymer was obtained in 73% yield by using 1,4-dibromobenzene, whose M_n and M_w/M_n were estimated to be 3300 and 1.51, respectively. The bathochromic shift of the ultraviolet (UV)–visible absorption spectrum with respect to that of the model compound, 1,4-bis(3-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylbenzene, indicated the extension of the π-conjugation. The blue fluorescence was also observed for the polymer upon the UV irradiation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2771–2777     

First syntheses of model long-chain trichloro[ω-(trimethylsilyl)alkynyl]silanes suitable for self-assembled monolayers on silicon surfaces

The preparation of the title compounds involves the introduction of the required Me₃SiCC and trichlorosilyl groups at the termini of the alkyl chain via derivatization of easily accessible and inexpensive materials/reagents. Trichloro[ω-(trimethylsilyl)alkynyl]silanes are useful for the linkage to a hydroxylated silicon surface for multilayer formation and for further chemical modification of the tail group of the monolayer.     

Formation and internal energy distribution of the CH(A2Δ) radical by electron-impact dissociation of methyl halides

The dissociative excitation of CH₃X (X = Cl, Br, I) producing CH(A²Δ) is investigated by low-energy electron impact. The onsets of the CH(AX) emission from CH₃Cl, CH₃Br and CH₃I are 11.8 ± 0.3, 11.4 ± 0.3 and 11.2 ± 0.3 eV, respectively. It can be concluded that CH₃X → CH(A) + H₂(X) + X (X = Cl, Br, I) is the predominant process for formation of CH(A) near its onset. The internal energy distributions of CH(A) evaluated by means of a simulation analysis of the CH(AX) band are nearly independent of the impact energy for impinging electrons above 19 eV.     

The role of vibronic interactions on intramolecular and intermolecular electron transfer in π-conjugated oligomers

The importance of electron-vibrational coupling for intermolecular and intramolecular electron-transfer processes is discussed on the basis of first-principles correlated quantum-mechanical calculations and of a dynamic vibronic approach. The methodology is illustrated for examples selected from some of our recent work. In all instances, the theoretical results are thoroughly compared to experimental data.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of five-membered ring π-conjugated materials based on bisthiazol-2-yl-amine and their metal complexation studies

Poly(5,5′-(2-hexyldecyl)-bisthiazol-2-yl-amine) (PBTA) is prepared by nickel(0) mediated Yamamoto-type coupling. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of PBTA in THF solution displays pure blue emission with a peak centered at 444 nm without any shoulder peaks and the HOMO and LUMO values for PBTA are estimated to be 5.11  and 2.90 eV, respectively. In addition, we have synthesized a novel bisthiazol-2-yl-amine (BTA)-cored donor-acceptor (D-A) chromophore system, namely 5-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-N-(5-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-N-octylthiazol-2-amine (2-TPA-BTA) in which the electron-donating (D) moiety is triphenylamine group and the electron-withdrawing (A) unit is thiazole group. Furthermore, in this report, we present the complexation studies of both the BTA and 2-TPA-BTA chromophores with Cu(II) and Pd(II), respectively. The crystal structures are established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. These studies not only provide the general photophysical principles of the materials based on BTA moiety but also encourage progress toward realizing the full potential of its hybrid metal-organic frameworks.