Mirror Symmetry Breaking and Network Formation in Achiral Polycatenars with Thioether Tail

Mirror symmetry breaking in systems composed of achiral molecules is of importance for the design of functional materials for technological applications as well as for the understanding of the mechanisms of spontaneous emergence of chirality. Herein, we report the design and molecular self-assembly of two series of rod-like achiral polycatenar molecules derived from a π-conjugated 5,5’-diphenyl-2,2’-bithiophene core with a fork-like triple alkoxylated end and a variable single alkylthio chain at the other end. In both series of liquid crystalline materials, differing in the chain length at the trialkoxylated end, helical self-assembly of the π-conjugated rods in networks occurs, leading to wide temperature ranges (>200 K) of bicontinuous cubic network phases, in some cases being stable even around ambient temperatures. The achiral bicontinuous cubic Ia d phase (gyroid) is replaced upon alkylthio chain elongation by a spontaneous mirror symmetry broken bicontinuous cubic phase (I23) and a chiral isotropic liquid phase (Iso₁^[*^]). Further chain elongation results in removing the I23 phase and the re-appearance of the Ia d phase with different pitch lengths. In the second series an additional tetragonal phase separates the two cubic phase types.     

Cubic phases of 4′-n-alkoxy-3′-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (ANBC-n)

The structure of the thermotropic cubic phases of 4′- ⁿ -alkoxy-3′-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (ANBC- ⁿ , where ⁿ indicates the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy group) was studied by X-ray diffraction. For the homologues with ⁿ = 15, 16, 17, and 18, the cubic phase was of an ^Ia 3 ^d type, whereas the homologues with ⁿ = 19, 20, and 21 exhibited an ^Im 3 ^m cubic structure; for these seven homologues the same type of cubic structure was observed both on heating and cooling. Further lengthening of the alkoxy chain to ⁿ = 22 and 26, however, gave two types of cubic structure in the cubic phase region on heating, one with ^Im 3 ^m symmetry in the low temperature region and the other with ^Ia 3 ^d symmetry in the high temperature region. On cooling, the two homologues exhibited the ^Ia 3 ^d cubic structure only. This is the first example in the cubic phase region of a series of homologues containing two types of structure, dependent on temperature and ⁿ . Such a complicated phase diagram in the cubic region is clearly understood qualitatively in terms of Gibbs free energy-temperature diagrams. The dependence of structural parameters such as the cubic lattice constant on the alkoxy chain length ⁿ are also presented and discussed.     

Polarized infrared spectroscopic study on changes in molecular orientation and interaction during phase transitions of a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring

Temperature-dependent polarized infrared spectra were measured over the temperature range 105-30°C for a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring (FLC-1) in the isotropic, smectic A (SmA), and chiral smectic C (SmC*) phases to investigate its molecular conformation, interactions, and alignment in each phase. It has been found, from the temperaturedependent spectral changes in the 1610-1600 cm^-1 region, that the degree of twist between the naphthalene and benzene rings of FLC-1 changes with temperature. The peak intensity of the band at 1606 cm^-1 containing contributions from both the benzene and naphthalene ring stretching modes begins to decrease, not suddenly but gradually, upon going from the SmA phase to the SmC* phase, suggesting that the molecular orientation of the two rings changes gradually between the two phases. The frequencies of two CH₂ stretching bands suggest that the disorder of the alkyl chain of FLC-1 is similar for the liquid crystal phase and the isotropic liquid phase. The splitting of the core C=O stretching band indicates that the resonance system consisting of the benzene ring and the C=O group in the core part of FLC-1 is involved in two kinds of intermolecular interaction between adjacent molecules in the liquid crystal phase.     

Nano-segregated structures of hydrogen-bonded mesogens with perfluorinated moieties: cubic phase formation and first order smectic A to smectic C phase transition

Two series of mesogenic compounds having both a perfluorinated substituent and a hydrogen bonding active site were synthesized and their phase behavior investigated. Due to the chemical architecture of these materials exhibiting amphiphilic character, structures of nano-segregation are expected to form. We found a thermotropic cubic phase with Ia3d symmetry in one of the acid/base hydrogen-bonded complexes, which is a nano-segregated structure. Moreover materials exhibiting a first order smectic A to smectic C phase transition were found, which was ascertained by differential scanning calorimetry measuring a large latent heat, and X-ray diffraction experiments observing abrupt changes of physical properties at the phase transition, i.e. the tilt angle, the intensity and the half-width of the small angle reflection. This first order phase transition occurs due to the frustration of nano-segregated structures of lamellar phases.     

Ferroelectrically Switching Helical Columnar Assembly Comprising Cisoid Conformers of a 1,2,3‐Triazole‐based Liquid Crystal

The 1,2,3‐triazole molecule, which is a product of click chemistry, possesses a high dipole moment and can be a useful polar motif for ferroelectric columnar liquid crystal (LC) materials—though it has not been used to date. Herein, we report the helical assembly and ferroelectric switching properties of a columnar liquid crystal comprising a naphthalene core and 1,2,3‐triazolyl linkages. The molecule assembles into a double‐stranded helical columnar LC structure (Col_hel). The X‐ray simulations of cisoid and transoid columnar models suggest that the helical assembly comprises cisoid conformers with a non‐zero dipole moment. The helical columns in the Col_hel phase are aligned homeotropically under an electric field. The ferroelectric switching of the axial polarization can be observed in the temperature range of 105–115 °C in the Col_hel phase, wherein the triazolyl hydrogen bonding along the column axis is weakened. The ferroelectric switching event is attributed to the rotation of the polar triazolyl units in response to the electric field.     

Cubic phases of binary systems of 4′-n-tetradecyloxy-3′-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (ANBC-14)-n-alkane

The phase behaviour of the binary systems 4′- ⁿ -tetradecyloxy-3′-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (ANBC-14)- ⁿ -alkane ( ⁿ -tetradecane or ⁿ -hexadecane) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The phase behaviour was a function of temperature ( ^T ) and the effective carbon number of the system ( ^n*), where ^n* involves carbon atoms both from the alkoxy group of ANBC-14 and from the ⁿ -alkane added. ANBC-14 shows no cubic phase, but the addition of ⁿ -alkane induced cubic phases when ^n*≧c. 15. An interesting point is that the type of cubic phase is ^Ia 3 ^d for 15^≦n*≦17, while an ^Im 3 ^m type is formed for 18^≦n*≦20. Furthermore, for ^n* = 22, two types of cubic phase, one with ^Im 3 ^m symmetry in the low temperature region and the other with ^Ia 3 ^d in the high temperature region, were observed both on heating and cooling. The phase diagram with respect to ^T and ^n* is very similar to that of pure one-component ANBC- ⁿ , which is a function of ^T and the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy group ⁿ .     

Molecular motions and λ phase transition: Raman and far-ir studies of neat and isotopic mixed hexamethylbenzene crystal

Raman and far-IR studies of hexamethylbenzene (HMB) low temperature crystalline phases (neat and isotopic mixed) are presented. The Raman phonon spectrum changes drastically during the λ-phase transition. Site splittings on two intramolecular modes of HMB-h₁₈ (but on only one corresponding HMB-d₁₈ mode) are observed in the room temperature phase (phase II) spectrum. These splittings disappear in the lower temperature phase (phase III). The methyl torsional bands are identified and a significant shift is observed for them during the phase transition. Also, while the λ-phase transition takes place at 113°K (± 2°K) for HMB-h₁₈ crystal, the transition temperature is 133°K (± 2°K) for HMB-d₁₈. Our results suggest that (for phonon interactions) the symmetry in phase Ill is close to D_3d and reduces to C_i in phase II. Furthermore, the results support the mechanism of phase transition which involves a tilting of the methyl groups out of the benzene ring.     

直接模板法合成三维立方介孔氧化硅HOM-5

0引言自1992年Mobil公司制备出M41S系列[1,2](包括MCM-41、MCM-48和MCM-50)介孔氧化硅以来,介孔材料以其有序度高、比表面积大、孔径可调等优异特性,引起了材料科学界的关注。不同类型的系列介孔材料,如SBA[3]、HMS[4]、MSU[5]等相继见诸报道。其中,空间群为Ia3d的MCM-48型三维立方介孔氧化硅具有完全相同,但互不相连的两套孔道[6],贯通性好,对称性高,对物料的传输优于二维孔道结构,在吸附、分离及催化等领域应用前景广泛。但这种结构对应的是溶致液晶相图的V1区域,对于多数表面活性剂来说,此相区较小,因此这种结构较难合成[7]。…     

A new method for the synthesis of dinaphtho[1,2‐b;2′,1′‐d]thiophenes and selenophenes

Naphthalene‐1‐sulfonic acid dimethylamides were treated with n‐BuLi and elemental sulfur or selenium to afford dinaphtho[1,2‐b:2′,1′‐d]thiophenes and selenophenes, respectively. This is the first example of making two C S/Se bonds and a C C bond in a single step at room temperature and also demonstrates a useful method for the synthesis of both thiophenes and selenophenes on naphthalene. In the case of the reactions of elemental selenium, diselenides were also obtained along with dinaphtho[1,2‐b:2′,1′‐d]selenophenes. The structure of dinaphtho[1,2‐b:′,1′‐d]thiophene was characterized by X‐ray crystallography as a representative molecule. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:239–248, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20291     

Polarized infrared spectroscopic study on changes in molecular orientation and interaction during phase transitions of a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring

Temperature-dependent polarized infrared spectra were measured over the temperature range 105-30°C for a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a naphthalene ring (FLC-1) in the isotropic, smectic A (SmA), and chiral smectic C (SmC*) phases to investigate its molecular conformation, interactions, and alignment in each phase. It has been found, from the temperaturedependent spectral changes in the 1610-1600 cm^-1 region, that the degree of twist between the naphthalene and benzene rings of FLC-1 changes with temperature. The peak intensity of the band at 1606 cm^-1 containing contributions from both the benzene and naphthalene ring stretching modes begins to decrease, not suddenly but gradually, upon going from the SmA phase to the SmC* phase, suggesting that the molecular orientation of the two rings changes gradually between the two phases. The frequencies of two CH₂ stretching bands suggest that the disorder of the alkyl chain of FLC-1 is similar for the liquid crystal phase and the isotropic liquid phase. The splitting of the core C=O stretching band indicates that the resonance system consisting of the benzene ring and the C=O group in the core part of FLC-1 is involved in two kinds of intermolecular interaction between adjacent molecules in the liquid crystal phase.     

Synthesis,Conformational Interconversion,and Photophysics of Tethered Porphyrin–Fullerene Dyads with Parachute Topology

The synthesis of a porphyrin–fullerene dyad with “parachute” topology is reported. To determine whether the dyad is “flexing” at room temperature, low‐temperature NMR experiments were used. Computational modeling has shown the low‐energy conformation of the dyad to be nonsymmetric. Although, ¹H NMR spectroscopy at room temperature is consistent with a molecule with C_2v symmetry, the spectrum changes on lowering the temperature consistent with “windshield wiper”‐like motion, in which the porphyrin moiety rotates from one side of the C₆₀ sphere to the other. Nanosecond and picosecond fluorescence lifetime experiments show two components contribute to the fluorescence decay, also consistent with the presence of more than one conformer.     

Absolute fluorescence quantum yields for vapour-phase benzene and naphthalene,and comments on the non-radiative processes

Optic—acoustic measurements have been employed in the determination of absolute quantum yields for benzene and naphthalene. Heat yields are measured by a method using oxygen quenching of both triplet and singlet states. For vibrationally relaxed excited singlet states the fluorescence quantum yields, φ^B_f, are 0.16 ± 0.02 and 0.79 ± 0.02 for benzene and naphthalene respectively. For 0.07 torr naphthalene at room temperature with 248 nm excitation, φ_f = 0.35 ± 0.03 and the quantum yield of internal conversion is less than 0.05. The decay of the highly vibrationally excited triplet state is dominated by vibrational relaxation for 0.07 torr naphthalene, but for benzene, even at high pressures, strong competition comes from an indirect coupling process to the ground state.     

Controlling Mirror Symmetry Breaking and Network Formation in Liquid Crystalline Cubic,Isotropic Liquid and Crystalline Phases of Benzil-Based Polycatenars

Spontaneous development of chirality in systems composed of achiral molecules is important for new routes to asymmetric synthesis, chiral superstructures and materials, as well as for the understanding of the mechanisms of emergence of prebiotic chirality. Herein, it is shown that the 4,4′-diphenylbenzil unit is a universal transiently chiral bent building block for the design of multi-chained (polycatenar) rod-like molecules capable of forming a wide variety of helically twisted network structures in the liquid, the liquid crystalline (LC) and the crystalline state. Single polar substituents at the apex of tricatenar molecules support the formation of the achiral (racemic) cubic double network phase with Ia d symmetry and relatively small twist along the networks. The combination of an alkyl chain with fluorine substitution leads to the homogeneously chiral triple network phase with I23 space group, and in addition, provides a mirror symmetry broken liquid. Replacing F by Cl or Br further increases the twist, leading to a short pitch double gyroid Ia d phase, which is achiral again. The effects of the structural variations on the network structures, either leading to achiral phases or chiral conglomerates are analyzed.     

Phase behaviour of the thermotropic cubic mesogen 1,2-bis-(4- n -octyloxybenzoyl)hydrazine under pressure

The phase transition behaviour of an optically isotropic, thermotropic cubic mesogen 1,2-bis-(4-n-octyloxybenzoyl)hydrazine, BABH(8), was investigated under pressures up to 200 MPa using a high pressure differential thermal analyser, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and a polarizing optical microscope equipped with a high pressure optical cell. The phase transition sequence, low temperature crystal (Cr₂)-high temperature crystal (Cr ₁)- cubic (Cub)-smectic C (SmC)-isotropic liquid (I) observed at atmospheric pressure, is seen in the low pressure region below about 30 MPa. The cubic phase disappears at high pressures above 30–40 MPa, in conjunction with the disappearance of the Cr₁ phase. The transition sequence changes to Cr₂-SmC-I in the high pressure region. Since only the Cub-SmC transition line among all the phase boundaries has a negative slope (dT/dP) in the temperature-pressure phase diagram, the temperature range for the cubic phase decreases rapidly with increasing pressure. As a result, a triple point was estimated approximately as 31.6 ±2.0 MPa, 147.0±1.0°C for the SmC, Cub and Cr₁ phases, indicating the upper limit of pressure for the observation of the cubic phase. Reversible changes in structure and optical texture between the Cub and SmC phases were observed from a spot-like X-ray pattern and dark field for the cubic phase to the Debye-Sherrer pattern and sand-like texture for the SmC phase both in isobaric and isothermal experiments.     

NMR and MO Studies on the Molecular Structure of a Fluoranthene-Benzene Complex

Summary. Fluoranthene (FA) forms a 1:1 van der Waals complex with benzene in cyclohexane. The ¹H NMR spectrum of this complex shows that the FA moiety in the complex state has five kinds of hydrogen atoms and that the ¹H NMR peaks assigned to the protons attached to the naphthalene skeleton are largely shifted to higher magnetic field on complex formation with benzene. These observations indicate that the complex takes the structure of C_S symmetry, in which the benzene molecule mainly interacts with the electronic system localized on the naphthalene moiety of FA. The present ab initio calculations reproduce well the ¹H NMR spectral shifts mentioned above and the experimentally predicted C_S structure of the complex. According to the PPP calculations for the electronic absorption spectral changes on the complex formation, the FA-benzene complex is considered to take a sandwich type structure.     

NMR and MO Studies on the Molecular Structure of a Fluoranthene-Benzene Complex

Fluoranthene (FA) forms a 1:1 van der Waals complex with benzene in cyclohexane. The ¹H NMR spectrum of this complex shows that the FA moiety in the complex state has five kinds of hydrogen atoms and that the ¹H NMR peaks assigned to the protons attached to the naphthalene skeleton are largely shifted to higher magnetic field on complex formation with benzene. These observations indicate that the complex takes the structure of C_S symmetry, in which the benzene molecule mainly interacts with the electronic system localized on the naphthalene moiety of FA. The present ab initio calculations reproduce well the ¹H NMR spectral shifts mentioned above and the experimentally predicted C_S structure of the complex. According to the PPP calculations for the electronic absorption spectral changes on the complex formation, the FA-benzene complex is considered to take a sandwich type structure.     

基于长链离子液体模板合成Fe(Co、Ni)-MCM-48

以两亲长链离子液体(氯化-1-十六烷基-3-甲基咪唑)为模板剂,采用水热合成方法,分别合成了含铁、钴和镍的立方介孔分子筛MCM-48。通过XRD、TEM、ICP-AES、FTIR、UV-Vis和N₂吸附/脱附实验对其结构和形态进行了表征,并考察了钴掺杂量和模板剂用量对合成立方相结构的影响。结果表明,用该方法合成的试样具有较高的比表面积和规则的立方介孔孔道结构等特征;相对于铁和镍的掺杂试样,钴物种能以四面体的结构稳定地存在于立方介孔分子筛骨架中。     

Charge‐Transfer Complex Formation in Gelation: The Role of Solvent Molecules with Different Electron‐Donating Capacities

A naphthalenediimide (NDI)‐based synthetic peptide molecule forms gels in a particular solvent mixture (chloroform/aromatic hydrocarbon, 4:1) through charge‐transfer (CT) complex formation; this is evident from the corresponding absorbance and fluorescence spectra at room temperature. Various aromatic hydrocarbon based solvents, including benzene, toluene, xylene (ortho, meta and para) and mesitylene, have been used for the formation of the CT complex. The role of different solvent molecules with varying electron‐donation capacities in the formation of CT complexes has been established through spectroscopic and computational studies.     

Switching Chirophilic Self-assembly: From meso-structures to Conglomerates in Liquid and Liquid Crystalline Network Phases of Achiral Polycatenar Compounds

Spontaneous generation of chirality from achiral molecules is a contemporary research topic with numerous implications for technological applications and for the understanding of the development of homogeneous chirality in biosystems. Herein, a series of azobenzene based rod-like molecules with an 3,4,5-trialkylated end and a single n-alkyl chain involving 5 to 20 aliphatic carbons at the opposite end is reported. Depending on the chain length and temperature these achiral molecules self-assemble into a series of liquid and liquid crystalline (LC) helical network phases. A chiral isotropic liquid (Iso₁^[*^]) and a cubic triple network phase with chiral I23 lattice were found for the short chain compounds, whereas non-cubic and achiral cubic phases dominate for the long chain compounds. Among them a mesoscale conglomerate with I23 lattice, a tetragonal phase (Tet_bi) containing one chirality synchronized and one non-synchronized achiral network, an achiral double network meso-structure with Ia d space group and an achiral percolated isotropic liquid mesophase (Iso₁) were found. This sequence is attributed to an increasing strength of chirality synchronization between the networks, combined with a change of the preferred mode of chirophilic self-assembly between the networks, switching from enantiophilic to enantiophobic with decreasing chain length and lowering temperature. These nanostructured and mirror symmetry broken LC phases exist over wide temperature ranges which is of interest for potential applications in chiral and photosensitive functional materials derived from achiral compounds.