Synthesis of new 1,1'-binaphthyl-based chiral phenylenevinylene dendrimers

Dendrimeric meta-substituted phenylenevinylene moieties have been incorporated on a chiral binaphthyl core, providing new chiral and photoluminescent molecules.     

Well-defined enantiopure 1,1'-binaphthyl-based oligomers: synthesis,structure, photophysical properties,and chiral sensing

A series of well-defined enantiopure 1,1'-binaphthyl-based oligomers linked through their 6,6'-positions, ranging from quaternaphthol to decanaphthol, have been synthesized by Suzuki and Stille coupling reactions. These novel oligonaphthyls have been characterized by (1)H and (13)C[(1)H] NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. A combination of X-ray structural and CD studies suggests that these oligonaphthyls adopt zigzag but not helical conformations. As the chain length increases, the compounds show enhanced fluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of oligonaphthols is almost 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol and can be effectively and enantioselectively quenched with trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with an enantioselectivity factor of 1.24. The present work thus demonstrates the potential of constructing chiral sensory materials based on well-defined enantiopure oligonaphthols.     

Synthesis of 1,1'-binaphthyl-based enantiopure C(60) dimers

The first enantiomerically pure and soluble C(60) dimers have been synthesized from suitably functionalized 1,1'-binaphthyl derivatives by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the respective in situ generated diazo compounds to C(60). These systems exhibit optical and electrochemical activity.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of poly-(phenylenevinylene) dendrimers with a ruthenium tris-bipyridine core

The photophysical processes have been investigated in first, second and third generation dendrimers with poly-(phenylenevinylene) branches and a ruthenium tris-bipyridine core, RuDn (n = 1–3). These dendrimers show very efficient forward singlet–singlet energy transfer from the branches to the ruthenium core upon UV irradiation, with efficiencies of 0.99 for RuD1 and 0.88 for RuD2 and RuD3 in CH₂Cl₂. The RuDn dendrimers show a bi-exponential emission decay in CH₂Cl₂, when excited with a 460 nm light with short lifetimes, however, the emission decay lifetimes become mono-exponential in 10% Triton X-100 aqueous solution (τ = 840 ns for RuD1, 890 ns for RuD2 and 1120 ns for RuD3).     

Synthesis, aggregation, and chiroptical properties of chiral, amphiphilic dendrimers

The syntheses of amphiphilic dendrimers based on 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol containing tri- or tetrafunctional chiral central cores and allyl ester termini are described. Water solubility is imparted to the dendrimers via a palladium-catalyzed deprotection of the peripheral allyl esters. This method affords complete deprotection of the carboxylate surface because, in contrast to the basic hydrolysis of methyl ester termini, the solubility of partially hydrolyzed intermediates is maintained throughout the course of the deprotection, thereby avoiding precipitation during the reaction. Chiroptical analysis indicates that the structure of the dendrimers collapses in water, resulting in an increased steric effect upon the central core that is manifested by lower optical rotatory power. However, contributions to the chiroptical properties from the dendron branch segments were not evident in water or organic media, suggesting that chiral substructures were not developing in the branch segments of the dendrimers. Multiangle light scattering studies revealed that the dendrimers experienced significant aggregation in aqueous media that decreased at higher generations. This behavior could be rationalized by a change in conformational preference from a disklike conformation at low generations to a more globular conformation at higher generations.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of chiral dendrimers with quinoline surface group via click chemistry

Synthesis of some novel chiral dendrimers containing quinoline as surface group and 1,2,3-triazole as branching unit is described. The chiroptical property exhibits the widening of the torsional angle in the BINOL core as the generation increases. The photophysical properties indicate an increase in the molar extinction coefficient and fluorescence intensity and a decrease in quantum yield and lifetime as the generation of the dendrimer increases.     

Degradable dual pH- and temperature-responsive photoluminescent dendrimers

Poly(β-aminoester) dendrimers have been prepared. These systems represent the first degradable dual pH- and temperature-responsive dendrimers displaying photoluminescence. The pH/temperature sensitivities are interrelated; the lower critical solution temperature of the dendrimer decreases as the pH of the solution is increased. The sensitivities are mainly due to phase changes of the surface groups with changes in pH or temperature. These dual-responsive dendrimers are very useful in drug delivery. They may be loaded with a hydrophobic drug at low temperature without using organic solvents. The loaded drug is released very slowly and steadily at 37 °C and physiological pH, but can be quickly released at acidic pH, for example the lysosomal pH (pH 4-5), for intracellular drug release. These dendrimers also display strong photoluminescence, which can be exploited for monitoring drug loading and release. Thus, poly(β-aminoester) dendrimers constitute ideal drug carriers since their thermal sensitivity allows the loading of drugs without using organic solvents, their pH sensitivity permits fast intracellular drug release, and their photoluminescence provides a means of monitoring drug loading and release.     

Layer-block dendrimers with alternating thienylenevinylene and phenylenevinylene units

A series of new hybrid, layer-block π-conjugated dendrons and dendrimers with alternating thienylenevinylene and phenylenevinylene units has been prepared by means of an orthogonal and convergent-growth methodology that made use of the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction. The placement of the thiophene and benzene rings can be accurately controlled to afford a large variety of dendritic structures, although access to compounds of high generation proved difficult. The optical properties of the synthesized dendrimers were determined by UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the influence of the generation and nature of the core on the behavior of these materials was evaluated.     

Synthesis and properties of aramid dendrimers

The synthesis, characterisation and properties of simple low molecular weight aromatic amide dendrimers is described. The insights into the problems inherent in the synthesis of such systems provided by molecular modelling studies are discussed along with possible strategies for circumventing them. Preliminary results concerning blends of aramid dendrimers with poly(hexamethyleneadipamide) are presented.     

Toward chiral polyhydroxylated dendrimers. Preparation and chiroptical properties

Four dendrimers (1b-4b) containing chiral vicinal diol-based subunits were prepared from their acetonide-protected precursors (1a-4a). The optical activity of these chiral dendritic structures was successfully modeled using structurally similar, low molecular weight model compounds. Using the [Phi](d) values of the low molecular weight model compounds 5b-7b, we calculated [Phi](d) values for dendrimers 1b-4b that agree to within 4.5% of the observed values. Agreement between the optical activity of the model compounds and that of the dendrimers leads to the conclusion that the conformational equilibria of the dendrimer subunits are not perturbed relative to those of the model compounds.     

Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of new ceramidine derivatives

A series of new ceramidine derivatives 8a–f has been synthesized in 4–5 steps involving a Wittig reaction of ceramidonine with various triphenylphosphonium bromides. Their UV and photoluminescence (PL) properties are reported. The compounds showed medium to strong PL between 502 and 522 nm at a concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁵ M CH₂Cl₂. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:66–73, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20753     

Synthesis and structural and photoswitchable properties of novel chiral host molecules: axis chiral 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl-appended stiff-stilbene

Novel photoswitchable chiral hosts having an axis chiral 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (BINOL)-appended stiff-stilbene, trans-(R,R)- and -(S,S)-1, were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and low-valence titanium-catalyzed McMurry coupling as key steps, and they were fully characterized by various NMR spectral techniques. The enantiomers of trans-1 showed almost complete mirror images in the CD spectra, where two split Cotton effects (exciton coupling) were observed in the beta-transitions of the naphthyl chromophore at 222 and 235 nm, but no Cotton effect was observed in the stiff-stilbene chromophore at 365 nm. The structures of (R)-10 and trans-(R,R)-1 were confirmed by X-ray structural analysis. The optimized structure of cis-1 by MO calculations has a wide chiral cavity of 7-8 A in diameter, whereas trans-1 cannot form an intramolecular cavity based on the X-ray data. Irradiation of (R,R)-trans-1 with black light (lambda = 365 nm) in CH3CN or benzene at 23 degrees C led to the conversion to the corresponding cis-isomer, as was monitored by 1H NMR, UV-vis, and CD spectra. At the photostationary state, the cis-1/trans-1 ratio was 86/14 in benzene or 75/25 in CH3CN. On the other hand, irradiation of the cis-1/trans-1 (75/25) mixture in CH3CN with an ultra-high-pressure Hg lamp at 23 degrees C (lambda = 410 nm) led to the photostationary state, where the cis-1/trans-1 ratio was estimated to be 9/91 on the basis of the 1H NMR spectra. The cis-trans and trans-cis interconversions could be repeated 10 times without decomposition of the C=C double bond. Thus, a new type of photoswitchable molecule has been developed, and trans-1 and cis-1 were quite durable under irradiation conditions. The guest binding properties of the BINOL moieties of trans- and cis-(R,R)-1 with F-, Cl-, and H2PO4- were examined by 1H NMR titration in CDCl3. Similar interaction with F- and Cl- was observed in trans-1 (host/guest = 1/1, Kassoc = (1.0 +/- 0.13) x 103 for F- and (4.6 +/- 0.72) x 102 M-1 for Cl-) and cis-1 (host/guest = 1/1, Kassoc = (1.0 +/- 0.13) x 103 for F- and (5.9 +/- 0.69) x 10 M-1 for Cl-), but H2PO4- interacted differently: the cis-isomer formed the 1/1 complex (Kassoc = (9.38 +/- 2.67) x 10 M-1), whereas multistep equilibrium was expected for the trans-isomer.     

Synthesis, characterization, and optical response of dipolar and non-dipolar poly(phenylenevinylene) dendrimers

New dipolar and non-dipolar poly(phenylenevinylene) dendrimers bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups have been efficiently synthesized using Heck and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions. The photoluminescence of these systems may be tuned in the blue zone by choosing the appropriate peripheral groups. Despite the meta-substitution pattern, large Stokes shifts can be observed when pi-donor and pi-acceptor groups are connected by a m-phenylenevinylene system.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of phosphole-cored dendrimers

Phosphole-cored dendrimers having poly(benzyl ether) units through the third generation have been synthesized. The dendrimers display intense blue photoluminescence, the quantum yield increasing with the increasing generation of the dendron units. The optical properties are easily tuned by oxidation of the phosphorus atom of the phosphole ring.     

Synthesis and characterization of chiral azobenzene dye functionalized Janus dendrimers

Eight bischromophoric bisMPA based polyester Janus dendrimers emanating from a pentaerythritol core were synthesized and their properties evaluated. 4-((4-(Ethyl(2-(2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)propanoyloxy)ethyl)amino)-phenyl)diazenyl)-benzoic acid and 4-((4-(ethyl(2-(2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)propanoyloxy)-ethyl)-amino)phenyl)diazenyl)-3-nitrobenzoic acid were attached to the dendritic polyester skeleton to make chiral dendrimers up to the second generation. The structures and the purity of the molecules were verified with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI TOF mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Spectral properties were evaluated with UV-vis and CD spectrometer. The compounds displayed broad absorption maxima in the visible region. The CD spectra confirmed the optical purity of the compounds. The thermal properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of new cationic carbazole-containing luminophores

The synthesis of a series of new π-conjugated amphiphilic derivatives of carbazole of the "stilbene" type, substituted with N-alkylpyridinium groups at positions 2 and 7, is described. Due to the presence of polar cationic groups and nonpolar alkyl substituents, the obtained compounds are potentially capable of acting as agents for the transportation of genetic material inside a cell, and the extended and effective conjugation chain leads to the appearance of intense photoluminescence both in solutions and in biological media, making it possible to use them as cell probes. The absorption maxima of the compounds are in the region of 422-450 nm, while the luminescence maxima are in the yellow-green region at 575-617 nm.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of phenothiazine-labeled conjugated dendrimers

A novel class of conjugated dendrimers bearing phenothiazines as peripheral groups and phenylenevinylene-group as a core has been synthesized through the Wittig-Horner reaction in moderate to good yield.     

Synthesis and properties of carborane-functionalized aliphatic polyester dendrimers

The incorporation of multiple p-carborane cages within an aliphatic polyester dendrimer was accomplished through the preparation of a bifunctional carborane synthon. A p-carborane derivative having an acid and a protected alcohol functionality was found to efficiently couple to peripheral hydroxyl groups of low-generation dendrimers under standard esterification conditions. Deprotection of carborane hydroxyl groups allowed for further dendronization through a divergent approach using the highly reactive anhydride of benzylidene-protected 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic acid. This approach was used to prepare fourth- and fifth-generation dendrimers that contain 4, 8, and 16 carborane cages within their interior. Upon peripheral deprotection to liberate a polyhydroxylated dendrimer exterior, these structures exhibited aqueous solubility as long as a minimum of eight hydroxyl groups per carborane were present. Several of the water-soluble structures were found to exhibit a lower critical solution temperature. Additionally, irradiation of these materials with thermal neutrons resulted in emission of gamma radiation that is indicative of boron neutron capture events occurring within the carborane-containing dendrimers.     

Self-assembly of chiral depsipeptide dendrimers

The self-assembly of chiral depsipeptide dendrons 4, which contain a cyanuric acid building block at their focal point, with the homotritopic Hamilton receptor 1 is reported. The 1:3 compositions of the resulting chiral supramolecular dendrimers, the association constants K(n), and the cooperativity of binding expressed by Scatchard plots and the Hill coefficients n(H) was determined by NMR titration experiments. The most pronounced positive cooperativity was found for the complexes 1 L(3) with L being the second-generation dendrons 4 c-e. The least stable complexes are formed with the bulky third-generation dendrons 4 f-h. Similar results are obtained by the corresponding complexation of the achiral Frechét-type first- to third-generation dendrons 3 with 1. Chiroptical investigations of 1:3 complexes of 1 and 4 reveal chirality transfer from the dendron to the Hamilton receptor as demonstrated by the appearance of new CD absorption bands at 310 nm.