Stability of complex coacervate core micelles containing metal coordination polymer

We report on the stability of complex coacervate core micelles, i.e., C3Ms (or PIC, BIC micelles), containing metal coordination polymers. In aqueous solutions these micelles are formed between charged-neutral diblock copolymers and oppositely charged coordination polymers formed from metal ions and bisligand molecules. The influence of added salt, polymer concentration, and charge composition was investigated by using light scattering and cryo-TEM techniques. The scattering intensity decreases strongly with increasing salt concentration until a critical salt concentration beyond which no micelles exist. The critical micelle concentration increases almost exponentially with the salt concentration. From the scattering results it follows that the aggregation number decreases with the square root of the salt concentration, but the hydrodynamic radius remains constant or increases slightly. It was concluded that the density of the core decreases with increasing ionic strength. This is in agreement with theoretical predictions and is also confirmed by cryo-TEM measurements. A complete composition diagram was constructed based on the composition boundaries obtained from light scattering titrations.     

Characteristic differences in the formation of complex coacervate core micelles from neodymium and zinc-based coordination polymers

In this paper we compare the formation of complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms) from two different tricompontent mixtures, namely neodymium, the bisligand L2EO4 and the poly(cation)-block-poly(neutral) diblock copolymer P2MVP41-b-PEO205, and zinc, L2EO4 and P2MVP41-b-PEO205 mixed systems. Three sets of titration experiments were carried out for each system: (i) titration of diblock copolymer P2MVP41-b-PEO205 with the stoichiometric mixture of metal ions and bisligands, (ii) titration of a mixture of diblock copolymer and bisligand with metal ions, and (iii) titration of a mixture of diblock copolymer and metal ions with bisligands. In all the above three cases, micelles are found to form either in a broad range of charge ratios or in a broad range of metal/bisligand ratios. Upon addition of Nd2-(L2EO4)3 coordination polymer to P2MVP41-b-PEO205 solution, and upon addition of Nd3+ to a mixture of L2EO4 and P2MVP41-b-PEO205, micelles are found to form immediately after the first addition, whereas micelles show up in the similar zinc system only after a certain threshold Zn-(L2EO4) or Zn2+ concentration. This difference can be traced to the different structures of the Nd2-(L2EO4)3 and Zn-(L2EO4) coordination compounds. At very low concentrations, Zn-(L2EO4) are ring-like oligomers, but Nd2-(L2EO4)3 are larger networks. The network structure favors the formation of coacervate micellar core with P2MVP41-b-PEO205. Moreover, excess of Nd3+ ions will break up the C3Ms, while the same amount of Zn2+ has hardly any effect on the C3Ms. The breakdown of C3Ms by Nd3+ is due to the charge inversion of the coordination complex with increasing [Nd3+]/[L2EO4] ratio, which results in repulsive interaction between the coordination complex and the diblock copolymer, whereas no such interaction can occur in the zinc system.     

Fuel-driven macromolecular coacervation in complex coacervate core micelles

Fuel-driven macromolecular coacervation is an entry into the transient formation of highly charged, responsive material phases. In this work, we used a chemical reaction network (CRN) to drive the coacervation of macromolecular species readily produced using radical polymerisation methods. The CRN enables transient quaternization of tertiary amine substrates, driven by the conversion of electron deficient allyl acetates and thiol or amine nucleophiles. By incorporating tertiary amine functionality into block copolymers, we demonstrate chemical triggered complex coacervate core micelle (C3M) assembly and disassembly. In contrast to most dynamic coacervate systems, this CRN operates at constant physiological pH without the need for complex biomolecules. By varying the allyl acetate fuel, deactivating nucleophile and reagent ratios, we achieved both sequential signal-induced C3M (dis)assembly, as well as transient non-equilibrium (dis)assembly. We expect that timed and signal-responsive control over coacervate phase formation at physiological pH will find application in nucleic acid delivery, nano reactors and protocell research.

We apply an allyl acetate fuelled chemical reaction network (CRN) to control the coacervation of macromolecular species at constant physiological pH without the need for complex biomolecules.     

Temperature responsive complex coacervate core micelles with a PEO and PNIPAAm corona

In aqueous solutions at room temperature, poly( N-methyl-2-vinyl pyridinium iodide)- block-poly(ethylene oxide), P2MVP 38- b-PEO 211 and poly(acrylic acid)- block-poly(isopropyl acrylamide), PAA 55- b-PNIPAAm 88 spontaneously coassemble into micelles, consisting of a mixed P2MVP/PAA polyelectrolyte core and a PEO/PNIPAAm corona. These so-called complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms), also known as polyion complex (PIC) micelles, block ionomer complexes (BIC), and interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPEC), respond to changes in solution pH and ionic strength as their micellization is electrostatically driven. Furthermore, the PNIPAAm segments ensure temperature responsiveness as they exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior. Light scattering, two-dimensional 1H NMR nuclear Overhauser effect spectrometry, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy experiments were carried out to investigate micellar structure and solution behavior at 1 mM NaNO 3, T = 25, and 60 degrees C, that is, below and above the LCST of approximately 32 degrees C. At T = 25 degrees C, C3Ms were observed for 7 < pH < 12 and NaNO 3 concentrations below approximately 105 mM. The PEO and PNIPAAm chains appear to be (randomly) mixed within the micellar corona. At T = 60 degrees C, onion-like complexes are formed, consisting of a PNIPAAm inner core, a mixed P2MVP/PAA complex coacervate shell, and a PEO corona.     

The effect of PEO block lengths on the size and stability of complex coacervate core micelles

We report on a series of polyion complexes from mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N,N-diethylaminoethylmethacrylate) (PEO-PDEAMA) and poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(aspartic acid) (PEO-PAsp). As expected, the micelle size, polydispersity and stability are dependant on the relative and absolute lengths of the polyelectrolyte chains. However, we also demonstrate that whilst the length of the charged polyelectrolyte blocks is important, the length of the PEO chains is an equally relevant variable in determining both the size and stability of the final micelles as well as the degree of charge neutralisation at which micellisation occurs. We also show that the kinetics of formation can result in very different stability of the final micelles.     

Grafted block complex coacervate core micelles and their effect on protein adsorption on silica and polystyrene

We have studied the formation and the stability of grafted block complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms) in solution and the influence of grafted block C3M coatings on the adsorption of the proteins β-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, and lysozyme. The C3Ms consist of a grafted block copolymer PAA₂₁-b-PAPEO₁₄ (poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(acrylate methoxy poly(ethylene oxide)), with a negatively charged PAA block and a neutral PAPEO block and a positively charged homopolymer P2MVPI (poly(N-methyl 2-vinyl pyridinium iodide). In solution, these C3Ms partly disintegrate at salt concentrations between 50 and 100 mM NaCl. Adsorption of C3Ms and proteins has been studied with fixed-angle optical reflectometry, at salt concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 mM NaCl. In comparison with the adsorption of PAA₂₁-b-PAPEO₁₄ alone adsorption of C3Ms significantly increases the amount of PAA₂₁-b-PAPEO₁₄ on the surface. This results in a higher surface density of PEO chains. The stability of the C3M coatings and their influence on protein adsorption are determined by the composition and the stability of the C3Ms in solution. A C3M-PAPEO₁₄/P2MVPI₄₃ coating strongly suppresses the adsorption of all proteins on silica and polystyrene. The reduction of protein adsorption is the highest at 100 mM NaCl (>90%). The adsorbed C3M-PAPEO₁₄/P2MVPI₄₃ layer is partly removed from the surface upon exposure to an excess of β-lactoglobulin solution, due to formation of soluble aggregates consisting of β-lactoglobulin and P2MVPI₄₃. In contrast, C3M-PAPEO₁₄/P2MVPI₂₂₈ which has a fivefold longer cationic block enhances adsorption of the negatively charged proteins on both surfaces at salt concentrations above 1 mM NaCl. A single PAA₂₁-b-PAPEO₁₄ layer causes only a moderate reduction of protein adsorption.     

Comparison of complex coacervate core micelles from two diblock copolymers or a single diblock copolymer with a polyelectrolyte

With light scattering titrations, we show that complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms) form from a diblock copolymer with a polyelectrolyte block and either an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte, a diblock copolymer with an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte or a mixture of the two. The effect of added salt and pH on both types of C3Ms is investigated. The hydrodynamic radius of mixed C3Ms can be controlled by varying the percentage of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte or diblock copolymer. A simple core-shell model is used to interpret the results from light scattering, giving the same trends as the experiments for both the hydrodynamic radii and the relative scattering intensities. Temperature has only a small effect on the C3Ms. Isothermal titration calorimetry shows that the complexation is mainly driven by Coulombic attraction and by the entropy gain due to counterion release.     

Sensitized near-infrared lanthanide luminescence from Nd(III)- and Yb(III)-based cyclen-ruthenium coordination conjugates

The development of novel mixed lanthanide-transition-metal (f-d) based supramolecular self-assemblies made from neodymium- and ytterbium-based tetraamide-functionalized cyclen complexes bearing a single 1,10-phenanthroline moiety coordinating to a RuII(bipy)2 (bipy = bipyridine) unit is described. Excitation of the Ru(II) metal-to-ligand charge-transfer band in water gave rise to long-wavelength sensitized emission from the Yb(III) or Nd(III) centers, observed in the near-infrared.     

Chiral sensing of Eu(III)‐containing achiral polymer complex from chiral amino acids coordination induction

The β‐diketonate‐based achiral polymer P‐1 could be synthesized by the polymerization of 3,7‐dibromo‐2,8‐dimethoxy‐5,5‐dioctyl‐5H‐dibenzo[b,d]silole ( M1 ) with (Z)?1,3‐bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)?3‐hydroxyprop‐en‐1‐one ( M2 ) via typical Sonogashira coupling reaction. The β‐diketonate unit in the main chain backbone of P‐1 can further coordinate with Eu(TTA)_x [TTA^? = 4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)butane‐1,3‐dionate anion, X = 1, 2, 3] to afford corresponding Eu(III)‐containing polymer complexes. The resulting achiral polymer complex P‐2 (X = 2) can exhibit strong circular dichroism (CD) response toward both N‐Boc‐l and d‐ proline enantiomers. The CD signal was preliminarily attributed to coordination induction between chiral N‐Boc‐proline and the Eu(III) complex moiety. The linear regression analysis of CD sensing shows a good agreement between the magnitude of molar ellipticity and concentration of chiral N‐Boc‐l or d‐ proline, which indicates this kind Eu(III)‐containing achiral polymer complex can be used as a chiral probe for enantioselective recognition of N‐Boc‐l or d‐ proline enantiomers based on Cotton effect of CD spectra. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3080–3086     

Double chains-copper(I)-based coordination polymer with strong blue fluorescent emission

A solvothermal reaction of Cu(CN) with triphenylphosphine yielded a double-chain coordination polymer of the formula C₂₀H₁₅Cu₂N₂P (I). X-ray diffraction study shows that complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, with lattice parameters a = 9.3017(8), b = 12.4273(13), c = 16.0505(15) Å, β = 91.688(6)°, V = 1854.6(3) ų, Z = 4, and ρ_calcd = 1.581 mg m^?3. The Cu(I) atoms show difference in the coordination environment. Complex I emits strong blue fluorescence light (λ_em(max) = 516 nm), when it is excited by the UV light (λ_exc(max) = 250 nm) in the solid state at room temperature.     

A dihydroxo-bridged Fe(II)-Fe(III) complex: a new member of the diiron diamond core family

The first structurally characterized Fe(II)-Fe(III) complex containing a M2(mu-OH)2 diamond core is a Robin and Day class II mixed-valence complex.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of a ferrimagnetic dodecanuclear iron(III) complex with a Fe4(OH)4 cubane core

The microwave-assisted reaction of Fe(ClO(4))(2) with NaN(3), NaO(2)CPh, and 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)-1,3-propanedione gave a ferrimagnetic dodecanuclear iron(III) complex that shows magnetization relaxation behavior.     

Nicotinamide complex of silver(III) with expanded coordination number

Abstract

In strongly alkaline media ([OH^?]?≥?0.12 M), nicotinamide (nica) forms a complex with square-planar Ag(OH)₄^? [nica]?≥?0.05 M. The complex decomposes in seconds to nicotinamide N-oxide. The correlation of maximum absorbance of the complex with concentrations of nicotinamide and hydroxide requires that the complex is either the five-coordinate Ag(OH)₄(H_-1nica)^2? or the six-coordinate Ag(OH)₅(nica)^2?. Comparison with the reactions of Ag(OH)₄^? with nicotinate ion (nic^?) and acetamide under similar conditions indicates that nicotinamide coordinates with Ag(OH)₄^? by the amido group rather than the nitrogen on the pyridine ring or the amido oxygen. Kinetics of the Ag(III)-nica redox reaction are consistent with direct reaction between nicotinamide and uncoordinated Ag(OH₄)^?. Oxidation takes place at the pyridine ring, yielding nicotinamide N-oxide. Silver(III) is reduced to monovalent silver.     

Sequestering aromatic molecules with a spin-crossover Fe(II) microporous coordination polymer

All in a spin: A series of three-dimensional porous coordination polymer {Fe(dpe)[Pt(CN)(4)]}?G (dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene; G = phenazine, anthracene, or naphthalene) exhibiting spin crossover and host-guest functions is reported. The magnetic properties of the framework are very sensitive to the chemical nature (aromatic or hydroxilic solvents) and the size of the included guest molecules.     

Uranyl sensitization of samarium(III) luminescence in a two-dimensional coordination polymer

Heterometallic carboxyphosphonates UO(2)(2+)/Ln(3+) have been prepared from the hydrothermal reaction of uranyl nitrate, lanthanide nitrate (Ln = Sm, Tb, Er, Yb), and phosphonoacetic acid (H(3)PPA). Compound 1, (UO(2))(2)(PPA)(HPPA)(2)Sm(H(2)O)·2H(2)O (1) adopts a two-dimensional structure in which the UO(2)(2+) metal ions bind exclusively to the phosphonate moiety, whereas the Ln(3+) ions are coordinated by both phosphonate and carboxylate functionalities. Luminescence studies of 1 show very bright visible and near-IR samarium(III)-centered emission upon direct excitation of the uranyl moiety. The Sm(3+) emissive state exhibits a double-exponential decay with lifetimes of 67.2 ± 6.5 and 9.0 ± 1.3 μs as measured at 594 nm, after excitation at both 365 and 420 nm. No emission is observed in the region typical of the uranyl cation, indicating that all energy is either transferred to the Sm(3+) center or lost to nonradiative processes. Herein we report the synthesis, crystal structure, and luminescent behavior of 1, as well as those of the isostructural terbium, erbium, and ytterbium analogues.     

Thermally triggered reductive elimination of bromine from Au(III) as a path to Au(I)-based coordination polymers

Four new [AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](-)-based coordination polymers, Zn(pyz)(NCMe)(2)[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2) (1; pyz = pyrazine), Co(pyz)[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2)·H(2)O (2) and [M(bipy)(2)(AuBr(2)(CN)(2))][(n)Bu(4)N][AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2) (bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine), where M = Co (5) and Zn (6), were synthesized and three of them structurally characterized. 1 forms 1-D chains connected by pyz ligands while isostructural 5 and 6 form 3-D frameworks via [AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](-) and bipy linkers. Aqueous suspensions of 2, 5 and 6 or their precursors in situ (preferred) were heated hydrothermally to 125 °C, triggering the reductive elimination of bromine from the Au(III) centres, which yielded the [Au(CN)(2)](-)-based coordination polymers M(pyz)[Au(CN)(2)](2), where M = Zn (3) or Co (4) and Zn(bipy)[Au(CN)(2)][Au{Br(0.68)(CN)(0.32)}CN] (7), or a mixture of cyanoaurate(I)-containing products in the case of 5 and 6. The structural characterization of 3 revealed a [Au(CN)(2)](-)/pyz-based framework similar to previously reported Cu(pyz)[Au(CN)(2)](2), whereas 7 formed an intricate network consisting of individual 2-D networks held together by AuAu interactions and featuring the rare [AuBrCN](-) unit. The kinetics of the thermally-induced reductive elimination of Br(2) from K[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)] in 1-BuOH yielded a t(?) of approx. 10 min to 4 h from 98 to 68 °C, and activation parameters of ΔH(?) = 131(15) kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(?) = 14.97(4) kJ K(-1)mol(-1), indicating that the elimination of the halogen provides the highest barrier to activation.     

Subphase pH effect on composition and structure of Fe(III) arachidate monolayers

The arachidic acid monolayers on Fe(III) subphase surfaces with various pH values have been studied. The π–A isotherms of monolayers and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra of Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films show that the films obtained on different pH subphases with a concentration of Fe(III) 5×10⁻⁵ M have different compositions. At low pH (2.4), the film appears to be almost 100% acid. The content of Fe(III) arachidate increases with increasing pH, at pH 3.7, the film appears to be 100% salt; and the content of salt decreases with pH larger than 3.7. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations show that the monolayer structures changed from patch aggregates formed by Fe(III) arachidate at low pH to a network or dotted structures formed by hydrolysates of Fe(III) at high pH. The Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) experiments show the different monolayer behaviors at various pH. These results indicate that the subphase pH greatly influenced the arachidic acid monolayers.     

AgC(CN)3-based coordination polymers

Reaction of Ag(tcm), tcm = tricyanomethanide, C(CN)(3)(-), with a range of terminal and bridging ligands results in formation of a series of new coordination polymers. Recrystallization of Ag(tcm) from acetonitrile generates Ag(tcm)(MeCN), which is composed of corrugated (6,3) sheets displaying two-fold 2D --> 2D parallel interpenetration and is topologically identical to the parent Ag(tcm) structure. Ag(tcm)(L) species, L = 1,4-diazobicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane (dabco) or 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy), contain two interpenetrating 3D networks composed of 3-connecting (tcm) and 5-connecting (Ag) centers. The structure of Ag(tcm)(bpe), bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene, contains 1D ladderlike polymers connected by weak Ag-tcm interactions into two interpenetrating 3D nets. Ag(tcm)(Mepyz)(3/2), Mepyz = methylpyrazine, also contains 1D ladders, while Ag(tcm)(Me(4)pyz)(1/2), Me(4)pyz = tetramethylpyrazine, contains 2D sheets composed of Ag(tcm) 1D "tubes" linked by bridging Me(4)pyz ligands. Ag(tcm)(hmt), hmt = hexamethylenetetramine, has a 3D network structure in which the hmt ligands are 3-connecting, the tcm anions are 2-connecting, and the silver atoms are 5-connecting. The topology is the same as displayed by Ag(tcm)(L), L = dabco or bipy.