Alignment behaviour of symmetrical and asymmetrical triphenylenes possessing fluoroalkylated side chains on modified substrates

The alignment behaviour of triphenylene-based compounds possessing fluoroalkylated and alkyl side chains was investigated for the hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase on polyimide-, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-, and indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates by polarizing optical microscopy. It was found that 2,6,10-trinonyloxy-3,7,11-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorononyloxy)triphenylene and 2,6,11-trinonyloxy-3,7,10-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorononyloxy)triphenylene exhibit spontaneous homeotropic alignment on these substrates. On the other hand, it was found that 2,6,10-triheptyloxy-3,7,11-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoroheptyloxy)triphenylene, 2,6,11-triheptyloxy-3,7,10-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoroheptyloxy)triphenylene, 2,6,10-trihexyloxy-3,7,11-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorohexyloxy)triphenylene, 2,6,11-trihexyloxy-3,7,10-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorohexyloxy)triphenylene, 2,6,10-tributyloxy-3,7,11-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorobutyloxy)triphenylene and 2,6,11-tributyloxy-3,7,10-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorobutyloxy)triphenylene do not show such spontaneous homeotropic alignment on these substrates. These results indicate that the spontaneous homeotropic alignment of the Col_h phase could be easily attained by the introduction of an appropriate length of the fluoromethylene chains in the peripheral parts of discogens. Therefore, it is suggested that the balance between the hydrocarbon part including the triphenylene core and the fluoroalkyl part determines the alignment control behaviour. Furthermore, it was found that alignment behaviour is independent of the rotation symmetry of the chemical structure but is dependent on the number of fluoromethylene chains in the chemical structure.     

Alignment behavior for novel triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains on modified substrates

The alignment behavior of the triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains was investigated for the hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase on the polyimide-, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-, and indium-SnO₂ (ITO)-coated glass substrates by polarizing optical microscopy. It was found that 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoroheptyloxy)- and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorononyloxy)-triphenylenes exhibit a spontaneous homeotropic alignment on these substrates, in contrast to the non-uniformity of alignment of Col_h phase in the corresponding hydrocarbon mesogens. On the other hand, it was also found that 4,4,4-trifluorobutyloxy, 4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentyloxy and 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluorohexyloxy derivatives do not show such a spontaneous homeotropic alignment on these substrates. These results indicate that the spontaneous homeotropic alignment of the Col_h phase could be easily attained by the introduction of an appropriate number and length of the fluoromethylene chains in the peripheral parts of discogens.     

Mesomorphic properties of symmetrical and asymmetrical triphenylene homologues possessing fluoroalkylated side chains

Two types of homologues (symmetrical and asymmetrical in rotational symmetry) of novel triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkyl and alkyl side chains were synthesized via an alternative method. X-ray diffraction and DSC measurements showed that these homologues are thermotropic liquid crystals with a hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase. The phase transition temperatures (Col_h-Iso) for both symmetrical and asymmetrical fluoroalkyloxytriphenylenes increase to about 180°C, and are independent of fluoromethylene chain and the rotational symmetry of chemical structure. The Col_h phase of symmetrical and asymmetrical fluoroalkyloxytriphenylenes possessing three fluoroalkyl side chains are more stable than fluoroalkyloxytriphenylenes possessing six fluoroalkyl side chains and alkyloxytriphenylenes. The X-ray diffraction patterns for symmetrical and asymmetrical fluoroalkyloxytriphenylenes, fluoroalkyloxytriphenylenes and alkyloxytriphenylenes in the wide-angle region are compared.     

Mesomorphic phase transition behavior of novel triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains

This report discusses the effect of fluoroalkyl chain on the mesomorphism. Several homologues of novel triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains were synthesized. Studies of X-ray diffraction, DSC and texture observations by polarized microscope revealed that these homologues show hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase. These homologues made columnar mesophase stabilize and the melting point increase, as compared with corresponding alkyloxytriphenylenes. In the case of fluoroalkyloxytriphenylenes possessing fluoromethylene side chains, the increase of the fluoromethylene chain length stabilized columnar mesophase, made the phase transition enthalpy (Col_h-Iso) and entropy (Col_h-Iso) increase. It is considered that these results are due to the fluorophilic interaction, and that the fluorophilic interaction is important for stabilizing columnar mesophase.     

CPI induction of liquid crystal behaviour in triphenylenes with a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains

2,3,6,7,10,11-Hexasubstituted triphenylenes have been synthesized that contain a mixture of hydrophobic (C₆H₁₃O) and hydrophilic (CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂O) side chains. At one extreme HAT6 (1a) (six hydrophobic chains) shows thermotropic behaviour and at the other TP6EO2M (1e) (six hydrophilic chains) shows lyotropic behaviour. Of the triphenylenes with a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains, only the triphenylene with one hydrophilic side chain and five hydrophobic side chains (1b) gives a thermotropic columnar phase. None of the others show liquid crystal behaviour. However, all of these triphenylenes form binary 1:1 compounds when mixed with PDQ9 (2a) and with PTP9 (2b). These CPI (complimentary polytopic interaction) stabilized compounds give thermotropic hexagonal columnar phases over wide temperature ranges.     

CPI induction of liquid crystal behaviour in triphenylenes with a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains

2,3,6,7,10,11-Hexasubstituted triphenylenes have been synthesized that contain a mixture of hydrophobic (C₆H₁₃O) and hydrophilic (CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂O) side chains. At one extreme HAT6 (1a) (six hydrophobic chains) shows thermotropic behaviour and at the other TP6EO2M (1e) (six hydrophilic chains) shows lyotropic behaviour. Of the triphenylenes with a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains, only the triphenylene with one hydrophilic side chain and five hydrophobic side chains (1b) gives a thermotropic columnar phase. None of the others show liquid crystal behaviour. However, all of these triphenylenes form binary 1:1 compounds when mixed with PDQ9 (2a) and with PTP9 (2b). These CPI (complimentary polytopic interaction) stabilized compounds give thermotropic hexagonal columnar phases over wide temperature ranges.     

Light-induced antibacterial activity of symmetrical and asymmetrical oligophenylene ethynylenes

The light-induced antibacterial activity of symmetric and asymmetric oligophenylene ethynylenes (OPEs) was investigated against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. To understand the light-induced biocidal effect better, the transient absorption and triplet lifetime of OPEs were studied in methanol and water. A higher triplet lifetime was observed for OPE samples in water than in methanol. The magnitudes of the changes in optical density (ΔOD) of the S-OPE-n(H) series of symmetric oligomers are much higher than that of the asymmetric OPE-n series in water and are generally correlated with the singlet oxygen yield. It was found that the antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is size-, concentration-, and time-dependent. The light-induced antibacterial activity may result from the coordinated interactions of membrane disruption and interfacial or intracellular singlet oxygen generation, and the dominant factor is most likely the latter. The results obtained in this study will aid in the design of more efficient biocides in the future.     

Engineered biosynthesis of nonribosomal lipopeptides with modified fatty acid side chains

The biological properties of the calcium-dependent antibiotics (CDAs), daptomycin and related nonribosomal lipopeptides, depend to a large extent on the nature of the N-terminal fatty acid moiety. It is suggested that the chain length of the unusually short (C6) 2,3-epoxyhexanoyl fatty acid moiety of CDA is determined by the specificity of the KAS-II enzyme encoded by fabF3 in the CDA biosynthetic gene cluster. Indeed, deletion of the downstream gene hxcO results in three new lipopeptides, all of which possess hexanoyl side chains (hCDAs). This confirms that HxcO functions as a hexanoyl-CoA or -ACP oxidase. The absence of additional CDA products with longer fatty acid groups further suggests that the CDA lipid chain is biosynthesized on a single ACP and is then transferred directly from this ACP to the first CDA peptide synthetase (CdaPS1). Interestingly, the hexanoyl-containing CDAs retain antibiotic activity. To further modulate the biological properties of CDA by introducing alternative fatty acid groups, a mutasynthesis approach was developed. This involved mutating the key active site Ser residue of the CdaPS1, module 1 PCP domain to Ala, which prevents subsequent phosphopantetheinylation. In the absence of the natural module 1 PCP tethered intermediate, it is possible to effect incorporation of different N-acyl-L-serinyl N-acetylcysteamine (NAC) thioester analogues, leading to CDA products with pentanoyl as well as hexanoyl side chains.     

Preparation and surface properties of the polysiloxane material modified with fluorocarbon side chains

The novel polysiloxane material modified with fluorocarbon side chains was synthesized. FTIR, FNMR were used to characterize the copolymer structure. The emulsion of the modified polysiloxane was prepared. The reflectance spectrum of the dyed polyester fabric treated with the polymer was also discussed. The effect of the modified polysiloxane on the color fastness of the dyed polyester fabric was investigated. The results show that the novel polysiloxane material modified with fluorocarbon side chains had excellent surface activity. It did not affect the shade of color and the fastnesses of the dyed fabrics and could improve the handle of fabrics. The treated fabric with the modified polysiloxane showed excellent repellency to water.     

Synthesis and thermal behaviour of polybutadiene resins containing acetylene groups in the side chains

Two resins were synthesized containing triple bonds in the side chains. The polymers were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy. DSC and thermal decomposition temperatures were determined. These resins show high thermal stability.     

Discotic charge transfer twins Structure and mesophase behaviour of covalently linked triphenylenes and trinitrofluorenones

Discotic charge transfer twins, a novel class of discotic liquid-crystalline compounds were studied. These compounds consist of triphenylene units (as donors) which are chemically linked via flexible spacers of various lengths to trinitrofluorenone units (acting as acceptor). They display a liquid-crystalline phase over a wide temperature range extending up to 240-260°C. Based on X-ray analysis a structural model is proposed for the liquid-crystalline phase: the molecules are arranged in columns in such a way that mixed stacks occur, the intercolumnar packing possesses an orthorhombic symmetry. The neighbouring columns are connected along specific directions via flexible spacers which give rise to highly anisotropic structural properties of this columnar liquid-crystalline phase.     

Alignment behaviour of the discotic nematic phase of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexa(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)triphenylene on polyimide and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide coated substrates

The orientational behaviour of the nematic discotic phase of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexa(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)triphenylene (C8OBT) on substrates coated with a polyimide or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was investigated by polarizing optical microscopy. The averaged order parameters and directions of the triphenylene core and the carbonyl groups of C8OBT were evaluated by an infrared dichroic method. The discotic nematic (N_D) phase of C8OBT exhibits a homeotropic alignment on a polyimide film, a typical nematic schlieren texture on a glass substrate, and a tilted or planar homogeneous alignment on a CTAB-coated substrate. The order parameter of the triphenylene core is higher on a polyimide film (S = 0.6) than on a CTAB-coated substrate (S = 0.2), whereas that of the carbonyl groups remains roughly constant at 0.2 to 0.3 independent of the substrate for the N_D phase.     

Alignment behaviour of the discotic nematic phase of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexa(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)triphenylene on polyimide and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide coated substrates

The orientational behaviour of the nematic discotic phase of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexa(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)triphenylene (C8OBT) on substrates coated with a polyimide or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was investigated by polarizing optical microscopy. The averaged order parameters and directions of the triphenylene core and the carbonyl groups of C8OBT were evaluated by an infrared dichroic method. The discotic nematic (N_D) phase of C8OBT exhibits a homeotropic alignment on a polyimide film, a typical nematic schlieren texture on a glass substrate, and a tilted or planar homogeneous alignment on a CTAB-coated substrate. The order parameter of the triphenylene core is higher on a polyimide film (S = 0.6) than on a CTAB-coated substrate (S = 0.2), whereas that of the carbonyl groups remains roughly constant at 0.2 to 0.3 independent of the substrate for the N_D phase.     

Synthesis of a calix[4]crown modified with germanium‐containing side chains

A germacalix‐crown, 25,27‐bis[1‐(3‐trimethylgermylpropyl)oxy]calix[4]arene‐crown‐6, 1,3‐alternate ( 1a ), and its carbon analog, 25,27‐bis‐[1‐(4,4‐dimethylpentyl)oxy]calix[4]arene‐crown‐6, 1,3‐alternate ( 1b ), were prepared and their structures were confirmed by elemental analysis and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. A cation transport test indicated that both compounds exhibited much the same cation transport ability, so that the role of the germanium moiety in capturing and transporting counteranions is not yet clear. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterisation of saturated and unsaturated triruthenium clusters containing electronically symmetrical and asymmetrical alkynes

The synthesis and characterisation of μ₃-η²-alkynyl triruthenium clusters, [Ru₃(μ₃-η²-R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR²)(μ-dppm)(μ-CO)(CO)₇] (1, saturated), [Ru₃(μ₃-η²-R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR²)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇] (2, unsaturated) and [Ru₃(μ₃-η²-R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR²)(μ-dppm)(PPh₃)(CO)₇] (3, saturated) containing symmetrical and asymmetrical alkynes in which R¹ and R² are electron donor or electron withdrawing groups in the para position of the aromatic ring(s) or R² is ferrocenyl, are reported. Clusters 1 were obtained from the reactions of [PPN][Ru₃(μ-Cl)(CO)₁₀] with R¹-4-C₆H₄CCR² and dppm. Clusters 1 were successfully decarbonylated to give unsturated clusters 2, with the exception of the FcCCC₆H₄-4-NO₂ containing cluster, which is stable. Novel adducts 3 were obtained in high yields by addition of PPh₃ to unsaturated clusters 2. Clusters 1-3 were characterised by analytical and spectroscopic data, and structures were proposed on the basis of systematic ³¹P NMR studies and correlations with X-ray structural data of related compounds available in the literature. Saturated compounds 1 contain a CO and a dppm ligands bridging the same edge, which is also parallel to the μ₃-η²-alkyne, as opposed to the structure previously proposed for the PhCCPh and other derivatives, and established by X-ray crystallography for the PhCCCCPh cluster derivative, in which the dppm ligand bridges a different edge. Unsaturated compounds 2 exhibit the same structure established for the PhCCPh derivative in the solid state, with the alkyne bonded in the μ₃-η²-mode perpendicular to the Ru₂ edge supported by the dppm ligand. Because the dppm phosphorus chemical shifts were sensitive to the alkyne electronic asymmetry, it was possible to show that clusters containing electronically asymmetrical alkynes exist in two inseparable isomeric forms, which differ with respect to the alkyne orientation. Similarly to their osmium analogues, saturated compounds 3 exist as inseparable mixtures of isomers that differ with respect to the position of the bridging CO and dppm ligands, and in the cases of asymmetrical alkyne derivatives, also with respect to the orientation of the alkyne. This work has established, therefore, that μ-CO and dppm ligand positions respective to the μ₃-η²-alkyne in saturated clusters 1 and 3 are sensitive both to the nature of the coordinated alkyne and to the presence of a PPh₃ in place of a CO ligand on the metal frame.     

Synthesis of calix[4]arenes modified with germanium‐containing side chains on the upper rim

With the expectation to prepare a new type of heteroditopic host, a series of calix[4]arenes modified with germanium‐containing side chains at the upper rim was prepared. Compounds 1 and 2 bear two or four triethylgermyl moieties respectively, and compounds 3 and 4 bear two or four trimethylgermyl moieties respectively. For 1 and 2 , the hydroxy groups at the lower rim are either tosylated (series a) or kept free (series b). For reference, a carbon analog of 3 , compound 5 , was also prepared. Unfortunately, all calixarenes prepared failed to show any appreciable cation transport property, indicating that the structure designed, i.e. a calixarene with germanium‐containing side chains at the upper rim, cannot meet the requirement for an appropriate heteroditopic host. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aggregation behaviour of peptide-polymer conjugates containing linear peptide backbones and multiple polymer side chains prepared by nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization

A series of peptides with an alternating sequence of alkoxyamine conjugated lysine and glycine residues were synthesized by classical solution phase peptide coupling. The resulting peptides containing up to eight alkoxyamine moieties were used as initiators in nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) to obtain peptide-polymer conjugates with well defined linear peptide backbones and a defined number of polymeric side chains. Polymerization of styrene and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) occurred in a highly controlled fashion. Molecular weight and polydispersity index (PDI) were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Aggregation behaviour of these hybrid materials was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Depending on composition, number and length of the polymer side chains, the conjugates aggregate to different topologies. Whereas peptide-polystyrene conjugates may aggregate to so called honeycomb structures, peptide-poly-N-isopropylacrylamide conjugates show differentiated aggregation behaviour.     

Synthesis and thermal behaviour of salicylaldimine-based liquid crystalline symmetrical dimers

A series of symmetrical dimers consisting of salicylaldimine moieties connected by flexible alkylene central spacer via ether linkages has been synthesized. In order to validate the empirical rule suggested by Date et al. to account for the smectic behaviour of such dimers, the chain length of the terminal alkoxy chain has been kept constant (C₈) while the number of methylene units in the central spacer was varied from C₃ to C₁₁. Another aim of the present investigation was to understand structure-property relationship in these dimers in which the salicylaldimine mesogenic segment has been used for the first time in dimers. The mesomorphic behaviour of these dimers was evaluated using optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry and the structure of some of the mesophases has been further investigated with the help of X-ray diffraction. Our studies reveal that the dimers consisting of 3 to 8 methylene units in the flexible spacer show only smectic (smectic C and smectic A) phases. For the dimers containing 4, 6 and 8 methylene units in the central spacer, a unique filament growth pattern has been observed in the smectic A phase while cooling from the isotropic phase. The dimers containing of C₉ to C₁₁ methylene groups exhibit the nematic phase in addition to smectic modifications. This observation indicates that when the terminal chains are shorter than the spacer, the tendency to form smectic phases is not fully extinguished but is perhaps reduced.