Unprecedented Charge‐Transfer Complex of Fused Diporphyrin as Near‐Infrared Absorption‐Induced High‐Aspect‐Ratio Nanorods

Charge‐transfer (CT) complexes of near‐infrared absorbing systems have been unknown until now. Consequently, structural similarities between donor and acceptor are rather important to achieve this phenomenon. Herein, we report electron donors such as non‐fused diporphyrin‐anthracene (DP), zinc diporphyrin‐anthracene (ZnDP) and fused zinc diporphyrin‐anthracene (FZnDP) in which FZnDP absorbs in NIR region and permits a CT complex with the electron acceptor, perylene diimide (PDI ) in CHCl₃ exclusively. UV/Vis‐NIR absorption, ¹H NMR, NOESY and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the CT complex formation occurs by π–π stacking between perylene units in FZnDP and PDI upon mixing together in a 1:1 molar concentration in CHCl₃, unlike non‐fused ZnDP and DP. TEM and AFM images revealed that the CT complex initially forms nanospheres leading to nanorods by diffusion of CH₃OH vapors into the CHCl₃ solution of FZnDP/PDI (1:1 molar ratio). Therefore, these CT nanorods could lead to significant advances in optical, biological and ferroelectric applications.     

Initial step of anthracene‐sensitized photoacid generation from diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate in an epoxy matrix studied by steady‐state and laser‐flash photolyses

The anthracene‐sensitized photodecomposition of diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate was studied in an epoxy matrix. From steady‐state photolysis, the generation of protons, which are considered to be the actual initiators of the polymerization of epoxides, was confirmed. In addition, 9‐phenylanthracene was detected as a main product from anthracene. From time‐resolved laser‐flash photolysis, a broad absorption band with a peak at about 500 nm was observed that was thought to be due to the precursor of 9‐phenylanthracene. On the basis of these results, we propose electron transfer from anthracene in the excited singlet state to the diphenyliodonium cation as the initial step of photoacid generation. This process is followed by fast chemical reactions, which generate 9‐phenylanthracene and protons, and back electron transfer from the diphenyliodine radical to the anthracene cation radical. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2937–2946, 2001     

Synthesis and optical properties of green‐light‐emitting copolymers containing side‐chain oxadiazole units

Atom transfer radical polymerization was used to prepare well‐defined vinyl polyoxadiazole homomacromonomers with a properly modified α‐dicarboxylic acid methyl ester as the initiator. Macromonomers of various molecular weights with narrow polydispersities in some cases were obtained, as proved by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The structures of the obtained macromonomers were then identified with ¹H NMR spectroscopy. These macromonomers were subsequently copolymerized with a dihydroxy anthracene based monomer by a polycondensation technique, and this resulted in polymacromonomers. Coil–rod–coil copolymers containing side‐chain anthracene and oxadiazole units were also synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The resulting copolymers combined an anthracene derivative as the rigid block with a random copolymer of the desired anthracene‐ and/or oxadiazole‐based monomers as the flexible block. These copolymers were primarily characterized with GPC and ¹H NMR techniques. Additionally, the optical properties of all these copolymers were investigated in detail, and they suggested energy transfer from the oxadiazole to the anthracene chromophores, which became much more efficient in the solid state. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1049–1061, 2005     

Synthesis of Bis‐acridine Derivatives Exhibiting Anticancer and Anti‐inflammatory Activity

A series of bis‐acridine derivatives 3a – j and 5a – j have been synthesized by condensation of 9‐chloro‐2,4‐(un)substituted acridines (1a – e) and 9‐isothiocyanato‐2,4‐(un)substituted acridines (4a – e) with diamine 2a and 2b , respectively. These bis‐acridines were evaluated in vitro for activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines of lung (NCI H‐522), ovary (PA1), breast (T47D), colon (HCT‐15), and liver (HepG2). Several bis‐acridines were found to possess good anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines. Of these, compound 3h exhibited good anticancer activity against all cancer cell lines tested except liver (HepG2) cell line. In addition to this, these compounds were screened for anti‐inflammatory activity at a dose of 50 mg/kg p.o. Compound 3g exhibited 41% anti‐inflammatory activity, which is better than most commonly used standard drug ibuprofen, which showed 39% anti‐inflammatory (at 50 mg/kg p. o.) activity.     

Time‐dependent Density Functional Theory Study on the Hydrogen‐bonded Dimers Formed by Gauche‐1PA and Trans‐1PA

Three hydrogen bonding complexes of the gauche‐1PA dimer (GG), trans‐1PA dimer (TT) and mixed dimer (GT) have been calculated for the geometry conformations and excited‐state energies. The electron distribution at the site of C‐O of H‐donor moiety in HOMO transfers to the direction of O‐H of H‐acceptor moiety in LUMO. The hydrogen bond between two 1PAs is the bridge of the intermolecular charge transfer. By the Zhao and Han's excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics rule, the first excited‐state hydrogen bonding change has been discussed without optimizing the excited‐state geometry conformations. According to the distinct difference between GT and GG (TT), we concluded that two gauche‐1PA monomers of one dimer are transformed at the same time to two trans‐1PA monomers.     

The Origin of the Improved Efficiency and Stability of Triphenylamine‐Substituted Anthracene Derivatives for OLEDs: A Theoretical Investigation

Herein, we describe the molecular electronic structure, optical, and charge‐transport properties of anthracene derivatives computationally using density functional theory to understand the factors responsible for the improved efficiency and stability of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) with triphenylamine (TPA)‐substituted anthracene derivatives. The high performance of OLEDs with TPA‐substituted anthracene is revealed to derive from three original features in comparison with aryl‐substituted anthracene derivatives: 1) the HOMO and LUMO are localized separately on TPA and anthracene moieties, respectively, which leads to better stability of the OLEDs due to the more stable cation of TPA under a hole majority‐carrier environment; 2) the more balanceable hole and electron transport together with the easier hole injection leads to a larger rate of hole–electron recombination, which corresponds to the higher electroluminescence efficiency; and 3) the increasing reorganization energy for both hole and electron transport and the higher HOMO energy level provide a stable potential well for hole trapping, and then trapped holes induce a built‐in electric field to prompt the balance of charge‐carrier injection.     

Coronenetetraimide‐Centered Cruciform Pentamers Containing Multiporphyrin Units: Synthesis and Sequential Photoinduced Energy‐ and Electron‐Transfer Dynamics

A series of coronenetetraimide (CorTIm)‐centered cruciform pentamers containing multiporphyrin units, in which four porphyrin units are covalently linked to a CorTIm core through benzyl linkages, were designed and synthesized to investigate their structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties as well as photoinduced electron‐ and energy‐transfer dynamics. These systems afforded the first synthetic case of coroneneimide derivatives covalently linked with dye molecules. The steady‐state absorption and electrochemical results indicate that a CorTIm and four porphyrin units were successfully characterized by the corresponding reference monomers. In contrast, the steady‐state fluorescence measurements demonstrated that strong fluorescence quenching relative to the corresponding monomer units was observed in these pentamers. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis measurements revealed the occurrence of intermolecular electron transfer from triplet excited state of zinc porphyrins to CorTIm. Femtosecond laser‐induced transient absorption measurements for excitation of the CorTIm unit clearly demonstrate the sequential photoinduced energy and electron transfer between CorTIm and porphyrins, that is, occurrence of the initial energy transfer from CorTIm (energy donor) to porphyrins (energy acceptor) and subsequent electron transfer from porphyrins (electron donor) to CorTIm (electron acceptor) in these pentamers, whereas only the electron‐transfer process from porphyrins to CorTIm was observed when we mainly excite porphyrin units. Finally, construction of high‐order supramolecular patterning of these pentamers was performed by utilizing self‐assembly and physical dewetting during the evaporation of solvent.     

Wide‐Range Light‐Harvesting Donor–Acceptor Assemblies through Specific Intergelator Interactions via Self‐Assembly

We have synthesized two new low‐molecular‐mass organogelators based on tri‐p‐phenylene vinylene derivatives, one of which could be designated as the donor whereas the other one is an acceptor. These were prepared specifically to show the intergelator interactions at the molecular level by using donor–acceptor self‐assembly to achieve appropriate control over their macroscopic properties. Intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding, π‐stacking, and van der Waals interactions operate for both the individual components and the mixtures, leading to the formation of gels in the chosen organic solvents. Evidence for intergelator interactions was acquired from various spectroscopic, microscopic, thermal, and mechanical investigations. Due to the photochromic nature of these molecules, interesting photophysical properties, such as solvatochromism and J‐type aggregation, were clearly observed. An efficient energy transfer was exhibited by the mixture of donor–acceptor assemblies. An array of four chromophores was built up by inclusion of two known dyes (anthracene and rhodamine 6G) for the energy‐transfer studies. Interestingly, an energy‐transfer cascade was observed in the assembly of four chromophores in a particular order (anthracene‐donor‐acceptor‐rhodamine 6G), and if one of the components was removed from the assembly the energy transfer process was discontinued. This allowed the build up of a light‐harvesting process with a wide range. Excitation at one end produces an emission at the other end of the assembly.     

An Unprecedented Photochemical Reaction for Anthracene‐Containing Derivatives

A series of anthracene‐containing derivatives have been synthesised and characterised. The photochemical behaviour of these derivatives have been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. An unprecedented photolysis reaction for anthracene‐containing derivatives was observed in the case of anthracenes directly armed with a ‐CH₂O‐R group upon UV irradiation. The photolysis reaction process has been demonstrated to occur in three steps. Firstly, the anthracene‐containing derivatives are converted into the corresponding endoperoxide intermediate upon UV irradiation in the presence of air; then, the endoperoxide intermediate is decomposed to the corresponding starting compound and 9‐anthraldehyde; finally, 9‐anthraldehyde is further oxidised to anthraquinone. Additionally, the photolysis reaction of anthracene‐containing derivatives is significantly promoted in the presence of a thiacalix[4]arene platform.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Redox‐Active Charge‐Transfer Complexes with 2,3,5,6‐Tetracyanopyridine (TCNPy) for the Photogeneration of Pyridinium Radicals

The heteroaromatic polynitrile compound tetracyanopyridine (TCNPy) is introduced as a new electron acceptor for the formation of deeply colored charge‐transfer complexes. In MeCN, TCNPy is characterized by a quasireversible one‐electron‐reduction process at ?0.51 V (versus SCE). The tetracyanopyridine radical anion undergoes a secondary chemical reaction, which is assigned to a protonation step. TCNPy has been demonstrated to generate 1:1 complexes with various electron donors, including tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and dihydroxybenzene derivatives, such as p‐hydroquinone and catechol. Visible‐ or NIR‐light‐induced excitation of the intense charge‐transfer bands of these compounds leads to a direct optical electron‐transfer process for the formation of the corresponding radical‐ion pairs. The presence of available electron donors that contain protic groups in close proximity to the TCNPy acceptor site opens up a new strategy for the photocontrolled generation of pyridinium radicals in a stepwise proton‐coupled electron‐transfer (PCET) sequence.     

Charge Transfer Complexes of Some Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines with π‐Organic Acceptors in Polar Solvents

A conductometric titration technique has been used to investigate the electron transfer activity of CT molecular complexes formed by arylazopyrimidine and naphthylazopyrimidine derivatives as donors and the organic π‐acceptors p‐nitroaniline, p‐chloroaniline, p‐bromoaniline, anthraquinone, picric acid, α‐nitroso‐β‐naphthol, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and maleic anhydride. The study was performed at different degree of temperature and in three different polar solvents namely N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), acetonitrile (ACN) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The stoichiometric ratios of these complexes were found to be 1:1. The dissociation constant (ασ_M) values of the formed complexes have been calculated, and the effects of solvents as well as types of electron donors on their conductance σ_p‐values have been examined.     

Electrostatic properties of the pyrimethamine–2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid cocrystal in methanol studied using transferred electron‐density parameters

The crystal structure of the cocrystal salt form of the antimalarial drug pyrimethamine with 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid in methanol [systematic name: 2,4‐diamino‐5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐6‐ethylpyrimidin‐1‐ium 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoate methanol monosolvate, C₁₂H₁₄ClN₄⁺·C₇H₅O₄⁻·CH₃OH] has been studied using X‐ray diffraction data collected at room temperature. The crystal structure was refined using the classical Independent Atom Model (IAM) and the Multipolar Atom Model by transferring electron‐density parameters from the ELMAM2 database. The Cl atom was refined anharmonically. The results of both refinement methods have been compared. The intermolecular interactions have been characterized on the basis of Hirshfeld surface analysis and topological analysis using Bader's theory of Atoms in Molecules. The results show that the molecular assembly is built primarily on the basis of charge transfer between 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid and pyrimethamine, which results in strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds. This fact is further validated by the calculation of the electrostatic potential based on transferred electron‐density parameters.     

Imino‐ and Azasugar Protonation Inside Human Acid β‐Glucosidase,the Enzyme that is Defective in Gaucher Disease

Gaucher disease is caused by mutations in human acid β‐glucosidase or glucocerebrosidase (GCase), the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of glucosyl ceramide in the lysosomes. Imino‐ and azasugars such as 1‐deoxynojirimycin and isofagomine are strong inhibitors of the enzyme and are of interest in pharmacological chaperone therapy of the disease. Despite several crystal structures of the enzyme with the imino‐ and azasugars bound in the active site having been resolved, the actual acid–base chemistry of the binding is not known. In this study we show, using photoinduced electron transfer (PET), that 1‐deoxynojirimycin and isofagomine derivatives are protonated by human acid β‐glucosidase when bound, even if they are completely unprotonated outside the enzyme. While isofagomine derivative protonation to some degree was foreshadowed by earlier crystal structures, 1‐deoxynojirimycin derivatives were not believed to act as basic amines in the enzyme.     

Two‐Photon Polarity Probes Built from Octupolar Fluorophores: Synthesis,Structure–Properties Relationships,and Use in Cellular Imaging

A series of octupolar fluorophores built from a triphenylamine (TPA) core connected to electron‐withdrawing (EW) peripheral groups through conjugated spacers has been synthesized. Their photoluminescence, solvatochromism, and two‐photon absorption (2PA) properties were systematically investigated to derive structure–property relationships. All derivatives exhibit two 2PA bands in the 700–1000 nm region: a first band at low energy correlated with a core‐to‐periphery intramolecular charge transfer that leads to an intense 1PA in the blue‐visible range, and a second more intense band at higher energy due to an efficient coupling of the branches through the TPA core. Increasing the strength of the EW end groups or the length of the conjugated spacers and replacing triple‐bond linkers with double bonds induces both enhancement and broadening of the 2PA responses, thereby leading to cross‐sections up to 2100 GM at peak and higher than 1000 GM over the whole 700–900 nm range. All derivatives exhibit intense photoluminescence (PL) in low‐ to medium‐polarity environments (with quantum yields in the 0.5–0.9 range) and display a strong positive solvatochromic behavior (with Lippert–Mataga specific shifts ranging from 15 000 to 27 500 cm^?1), triple bonds, and phenyl moieties in the conjugated spacers, thereby leading to larger sensitivities than those of double bonds and thienyl moieties. More hydrophilic derivatives were also shown to be biocompatible, to retain their 2PA and PL properties in biological conditions, and finally to be suitable as polarity sensors for multiphoton cell imaging.     

含1,8-二甲氧基-9,10-二氢蒽和巴比妥酸的发色团化合物的合成和NLO性质

在哌啶和醋酸催化下,1,8-二甲氧基-4,5-二甲酰基-9,10-二氢蒽和异佛尔酮巴比妥酸衍生物经Knoevenagel缩合合成了具有NLO性质的发色团化合物。在这些发色团中,环锁定的三烯和9,10-二氢蒽用作共轭桥,巴比妥酸和甲氧其分别作为吸电子和给电子基, 组成非共轭的两个D-π-A单位。溶剂变色法和紫外光谱研究证实它们比相应的参考物有较大的NLO活性并能保持与参考化合物相同的透光性。     

A Double Plug–Socket System Capable of Molecular Keypad Locks through Controllable Photooxidation

Two robust divalent complexes have been successfully constructed by using complementary rigid spacers (anthracene vs. 1,4,5,8‐naphthalenediimide (NDI)) and two pairs of [24]crown‐8 ethers and secondary dialkylammonium functionalities as binding motifs. It was demonstrated that properly selected, rigid spacers are more efficient than flexible ones for achieving strong multivalent association. This is presumably due to the preorganization of the rigid spacers, the cooperation between charge‐transfer interactions of rigid spacers, and the complexation of the binding motifs. Furthermore, the intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between rigid spacers in these robust complexes could be switched on and off by modulating their complexation through acid–base reactions, which is reminiscent of a plug–socket system capable of electron transfer. In addition, the self‐sensitized photooxidation of the divalent host with anthracene as a spacer can be completely inhibited after complexation with the divalent guests that contain NDI as spacers. This process could also be understood by invoking intermolecular PET and could be turned on and off through acid–base reactions. The photophysical and photochemical properties of these robust complexes have been interpreted as molecular keypad locks with alarm systems. Thus, a double plug–socket system and molecular keypad locks were successfully integrated inside robust multivalent systems and then the normal molecular devices were endowed with logic functions.     

Spectroscopic detection of short-lived anthracene derivative cation radicals using an electron transfer stopped-flow method with the tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine cation radical

Dynamic transformation profiles of short-lived cation radicals of anthracene derivatives, including 1-methyl, 2-methyl and unsubstituted anthracenes, could be observed using an electron transfer stopped-flow method by adopting the tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine cation radical as a reaction initiator.     

On the Role of Pre‐ and Post‐Electron‐Transfer Steps in the SmI2/Amine/H2O‐Mediated Reduction of Esters: New Mechanistic Insights and Kinetic Studies

The mechanism of the SmI₂‐mediated reduction of unactivated esters has been studied using a combination of kinetic, radical clocks and reactivity experiments. The kinetic data indicate that all reaction components (SmI₂, amine, H₂O) are involved in the rate equation and that electron transfer is facilitated by Brønsted base assisted deprotonation of water in the transition state. The use of validated cyclopropyl‐containing radical clocks demonstrates that the reaction occurs via fast, reversible first electron transfer, and that the electron transfer from simple Sm(II) complexes to aliphatic esters is rapid. Notably, the mechanistic details presented herein indicate that complexation between SmI₂, H₂O and amines affords a new class of structurally diverse, thermodynamically powerful reductants for efficient electron transfer to carboxylic acid derivatives as an attractive alternative to the classical hydride‐mediated reductions and as a source of acyl‐radical equivalents for C?C bond forming processes.     

Self‐Assembled Discrete Molecules for Sensing Nitroaromatics

Efficient sensing of trace amount nitroaromatic (NAC) explosives has become a major research focus in recent time due to concerns over national security as well as their role as environment pollutants. NO₂‐containing electron‐deficient aromatic compounds, such as picric acid (PA), trinitrotoluene (TNT), and dinitrotoluene (DNT), are the common constituents of many commercially available chemical explosives. In this article, we have summarized our recent developments on the rational design of electron‐rich self‐assembled discrete molecular sensors and their efficacy in sensing nitroaromatics both in solution as well as in vapor phase. Several π‐electron‐rich fluorescent metallacycles (squares, rectangles, and tweezers/pincers) and metallacages (trigonal and tetragonal prisms) have been synthesized by means of metal–ligand coordination‐bonding interactions, with enough internal space to accommodate electron‐deficient nitroaromatics at the molecular level by multiple supramolecular interactions. Such interactions subsequently result in the detectable fluorescence quenching of sensors even in the presence of trace quantities of nitroaromatics. The fascinating sensing characteristics of molecular architectures discussed in this article may enable future development of improved sensors for nitroaromatic explosives.