偶氮苯衍生物-β-环糊精包合物的自组装行为

研究了4-N（2’-巯基-乙基）羧基酰胺偶氮苯（Azo）与β-环糊精（β-CD）形成的包合物在金表面上的自组装行为．X射线光电子能谱（XPS）结果证实,Azo和Azo与β-CD形成的包合物均可在金表面上自组装形成单分子层膜．在包合物形成的自组装膜中,Azo与β-CD的摩尔比约为1：1．Azo自组装膜的电化学反应表现速率常数（Kobs）随组装时间的延长而明显减小,反映出自组装膜的排列随时间延长而趋于更加致密,从而抑制了偶氮苯基团的电化学诱导构型转化,降低了其电活性．而Azo与β-CD包合物自组装膜的Kobs值随组装时间变化不大,在组装76h以后,包合物自组装膜的Kobs比单纯偶氮苯自组装膜的Kobs高2个数量级以上．表明环糊精能够将偶氮苯分子隔开,从而抑制了偶氮苯在自组装膜中的聚集作用,有效地提高其电化学活性．     

Photoresponsive viscosity and host-guest association in aqueous mixtures of poly-cyclodextrin with azobenzene-modified poly(acrylic)acid

In aqueous solutions, beta-cyclodextrin (CD) and cyclodextrin-containing polymers (PolCD) associate with azobenzene-modified polyacrylate (AMP). Inclusion complexes in solution of CD (or PolCD) and AMP, and the viscosity of these mixtures, have been studied as a function of the composition of AMP and concentrations of samples. AMPs are random copolymers containing a low fraction of a light-responsive hydrophobic moieties (<10 mol % of 6-[4-alkylamido]phenylazobenzene acrylamide), and a charged hydrophilic unit, sodium acrylate. PolCDs are beta-cyclodextrin randomly conjugated with epichlorohydrin and fractionated to yield copolymers of average number of CD per chain equal to 50. In dilute solutions, the composition of complexes has been investigated by capillary electrophoresis and UV-vis spectrometry. Association between PolCD and AMP appears more complex than the conventional Benesi-Hildebrand scheme. We identified a tight (quantitative) binding regime followed by a gradual increase of the density of AMP-bound PolCD upon increasing the concentration of PolCD. At higher concentrations, the formation of large clusters has been characterized by the increase of viscosity by several decades. Light-triggered trans-conformation of the azobenzene moieties of AMPs leads to a marked photoswitch of viscosity. Reversible viscosity swings by up to 6-fold were achieved by alternative exposure to UV and visible lights. In contrast, the composition of PolCD/AMP complexes in dilute regime does not respond to light, though subtle modifications of the structures of complexes are reflected by variation of electrophoretic mobilities and UV spectra. The properties of interpolymer clusters and photoviscosity are accordingly the result of modification of the dynamics of association. In practice, the low concentration of photochrome makes it possible to obtain rapid responses in samples having a thickness of the order of cm. The data reported provide guidelines for the formulations of CD/polymer systems, specifically, viscosity enhancers, which should show promising developments in pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.     

Detection and Removal of Metal Ion based on a Fluorescent Sensor Composed of a Photoresponsive Rhodamine Derivative by Host–Gust Interaction

Although a variety of chemosensors as probes have been exploited for the detection of metal ions with high sensitivity and selectivity, the formed probe–metal complex was hardly suitable for separation, removal, and further recovery. This paper presents a method to detect and remove metal ions from aqueous solutions simultaneously by a fluorescence chemosensor and functional magnetic nanoparticles. A novel probe SRhB ‐Azo was synthesized based on rhodamine B (RhB ), maleic anhydride (MAH ), and azobenzene (Azo). SRhB ‐Azo showed high selectivity and sensitivity to Hg ions in aqueous solutions. Job's experiment showed the formation of a 1:2 stoichiometry complex between Hg²⁺ and SRhB ‐Azo. Moreover, β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD )‐modified magnetic nanoparticles (CD‐MNPs ) were fabricated and used as host materials to form the inclusion complex CD–MNP and SRhB ‐Azo–Hg²⁺. Then, the SRhB ‐Azo‐Hg²⁺ complex could be removed by an external magnet, and subsequently recovered by UV ‐irradiation‐induced trans/cis isomerization of the Azo groups. The CD‐MNP s could be reused for nearly four times. Thus, the SRhB ‐Azo probe and CD‐MNP system has great potential application in sewage treatment.     

A Light‐Controlled Release System Based on Molecular Recognition of Cyclodextrins

This Communication describes a new light‐controlled release system based on molecular recognition of cyclodextrins. Azobenzene (Azo) residue is employed as a photoresponsive guest residue because it can switch the partner from α‐cyclodextrin (αCD) to β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) by irradiation with UV light. Poly(sodium acrylate)s possessing αCD, βCD, and Azo residues (pAαCD, pAβCD, and pAAzo, respectively) are mixed in aqueous solutions to form aggregates through the formation of inclusion complexes of Azo with αCD and/or βCD. A chemical cargo, 1‐pyrenemethylammonium chloride (PyMA), is contained in the aggregates, and its release behavior is investigated by dialysis experiments under UV irradiation. These data indicate that the amount of PyMA released for the pAαCD/pAβCD/pAAzo ternary mixture is approximately three times as high as those for the pAαCD/pAAzo and pAβCD/pAAzo binary mixtures because of the light‐controlled rearrangement of inclusion complexes.

     

Dual Stimuli‐Responsive Self‐Assembled Supramolecular Nanoparticles

Supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs) encompass multiple copies of different building blocks brought together by specific noncovalent interactions. The inherently multivalent nature of these systems allows control of their size as well as their assembly and disassembly, thus promising potential as biomedical delivery vehicles. Here, dual responsive SNPs have been based on the ternary host–guest complexation between cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), a methyl viologen (MV) polymer, and mono‐ and multivalent azobenzene (Azo) functionalized molecules. UV switching of the Azo groups led to fast disruption of the ternary complexes, but to a relatively slow disintegration of the SNPs. Alternating UV and Vis photoisomerization of the Azo groups led to fully reversible SNP disassembly and reassembly. SNPs were only formed with the Azo moieties in the trans and the MV units in the oxidized states, respectively, thus constituting a supramolecular AND logic gate.     

UV-Vis, NMR, and time-resolved spectroscopy analysis of photoisomerization behavior of three- and six-azobenzene-bound tris(bipyridine)cobalt complexes

The photoisomerization properties of tris(bipyridine)cobalt complexes containing six or three azobenzene moieties, namely, [Co(II)(dmAB)3](BF4)2 [dmAB = 4,4'-bis[3'-(4'-tolylazo)phenyl]-2,2'-bipyridine], [Co(III)(dmAB)3](BF4)3, [Co(II)(mAB)3](BF4)2 [mAB = 4-[3' '-(4' '-tolylazo)phenyl]-2,2'-bipyridine], and [Co(III)(dmAB)3](BF4)3, derived from the effect of gathering azobenzenes in one molecule and the effect of the cobalt(II) or cobalt(III) ion were investigated using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, femtosecond transient spectroscopy, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. In the photostationary state of these four complexes, nearly 50% of the trans-azobenzene moieties of the Co(II) complexes were converted to the cis isomer, and nearly 10% of the trans-azobenzene moieties of the Co(III) complexes isomerized to the cis isomer, implying that the cis isomer ratio in the photostationary state upon irradiation at 365 nm is controlled not by the number of azobenzene moieties in one molecule but rather by the oxidation state of the cobalt ions. The femtosecond transient absorption spectra of the ligands and the complexes suggested that the photoexcited states of the azobenzene moieties in the Co(III) complexes were strongly deactivated by electron transfer from the azobenzene moiety to the cobalt center to form an azobenzene radical cation and a Co(II) center. The cooperation among the photochemical structural changes of six azobenzene moieties in [Co(II)(dmAB)3](BF4)2 was investigated with 1H NMR spectroscopy. The time-course change in the 1H NMR signals of the methyl protons indicated that each azobenzene moiety in [Co(II)(dmAB)3](BF4)2 isomerized to a cis isomer with a random probability of 50% and without interactions among the azobenzene moieties.     

Cyclodextrin and modified cyclodextrin complexes of E-4-tert-butylphenyl-4'-oxyazobenzene: UV-visible, 1H NMR and ab initio studies

alpha-Cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, N-(6(A)-deoxy-alpha-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)-N'6(A)-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)urea and N,N-bis(6(A)-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)urea (alphaCD, betaCD, 1 and 2) form inclusion complexes with E-4-tert-butylphenyl-4'-oxyazobenzene, E-3(-). In aqueous solution at pH 10.0, 298.2 K and I = 0.10 mol dm(-3)(NaClO(4)) spectrophotometric UV-visible studies yield the sequential formation constants: K(11) = (2.83 +/- 0.28) x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1) for alphaCD.E-(-), K(21) = (6.93 +/- 0.06) x 10(3) dm(3) mol(-1) for (alphaCD)(2).E-3(-), K(11) = (1.24 +/- 0.12) x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1) for betaCD.E-(-), K(21) = (1.22 +/- 0.06) x 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) for (betaCD)(2).E-(-), K(11) = (3.08 +/- 0.03) x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1) for .E-3(-), K(11) = (8.05 +/- 0.63) x 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) for .E-3(-) and K(12) = (2.42 +/- 0.53) x 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) for .(E-3(-))(2). (1)H ROESY NMR studies show that complexation of E-3(-) in the annuli of alphaCD, betaCD, 1 and 2 occurs. A variable-temperature (1)H NMR study yields k(298 K)= 6.7 +/- 0.5 and 5.7 +/- 0.5 s(-1), DeltaH = 61.7 +/- 2.7 and 88.1 +/- 4.2 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS = -22.2 +/- 8.7 and 65 +/- 13 J K(-1) mol(-1) for the interconversion of the dominant includomers (complexes with different orientations of alphaCD) of alphaCD.E-3(-) and (alphaCD)(2).E-3(-), respectively. The existence of E-3(-) as the sole isomer was investigated through an ab initio study.     

Coordinatively saturated cyclometallated Pt(IV) azobenzene complexes: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

The mesomorphic 4,4-bis[4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy]azobenzene dinuclear chloro-bridged cycloplatinated complex [(Azo)Pt(mu;-Cl)]2 (smectic C between 263 and 342 C) has been reacted with different chelating ligands, giving rise to a family of square-planar ortho-platinated derivatives, [(Azo)Pt(L)] (L = tropolonate, 8-hydroxyquinolinate and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro2,4-pentanedionate). Thermotropic mesomorphism is preserved for these mononuclear complexes which exhibit at least a nematic mesophase and transition temperatures lower by over 100° C than that of the corresponding dimeric precursor. Oxidative addition to the Pt(II) [(Azo)Pt(L)] species of electrophilic substrates such as I₂ or CH₃I eventually led to the corresponding octahedral [(Azo)Pt(L)(I )(X)] products. The introduction of two further ligands leads to Pt(IV) derivatives showing smectic and nematic mesophases for all L ligands. For the hexacoordinated [(Azo)Pt(L)(I)(CH₃)] complexes it has been verified that the oxidative addition of methyl iodide is a thermally reversible process, indicating that these species have potential applications as switchable systems.     

Dinuclear cyclopalladated azobenzene complexes: a comparative study on model compounds for organometallic liquid‐crystalline materials

The series of dinuclear 4,4′‐bis(hexyloxy)azobenzene, [H(Azo‐6)], cyclopalladated complexes of general formula [Azo‐6)Pd(µ‐X)]₂, (X = Cl, Br, I, N₃, SCN, OAc) and [Azo‐6)₂Pd₂(µ‐Ox)] (Ox = oxalate) have been synthesized and investigated for mesomorphism and spectroscopic properties. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of the dinuclear bromo‐ and iodo‐bridged complexes has been performed. The structural data, compared with those of the known homologous chloro compound, show that all the [Azo‐6)Pd(µ‐X)]₂)] (X = Cl, Br, I) molecules crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c and are isomorphous. They are arranged in slipped pairs with intermolecular non‐bonding Pd–Pd contacts ranging from 3.668(1) Å(X = Cl) to 3.758(3) Å(X = I). The different nature of the bridging group allows variation of the distance between the palladium atoms and the bond environment experienced by the metal centers. Thus, this comparative study reveals that the effectiveness of the bridging group in promoting thermotropic mesophases is greater for chloride, bromide, azide or oxalate than for iodide, thiocyanate or acetate. The greatest range of liquid‐crystal behavior was displayed by [Azo−6)₂Pd₂(µ−Ox)]. Remarkably, this compound is the first example of a metallomesogen containing the bridging oxalate group. The bimetallic complexes exhibit different absorption spectra (i.e. colors) depending, in general terms, on the nature of the bridge connecting the two cyclometalated [H(Azo‐6)] moieties, which can be varied so as to tune the optical properties. Blocking the azo group in the trans position results in several cases in weakly luminescent complexes, with luminescence efficiencies ϕ ≈10⁻⁴ and luminescence lifetimes of the order of nanoseconds. Using the data obtained from the 4,4′‐bis(hexyloxy)azoxybenzene [H(Azoxy‐6)] derivative, [Azoxy‐6)Pd(µ<?tf="ps2b61">‐Cl)]₂, from the mononuclear acetylacetonate (acac) complexes [(Azo‐6)Pd(acac)] and [(Azoxy‐6)Pd(acac)], and from the uncomplexed [H(Azo‐6)] and [H(Azoxy‐6)] ligands, the nature of the excited states relevant to the photophysical behavior are discussed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Light and pH dual‐sensitive biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for controlled release of cargos

In this article, a light and pH dual‐sensitive block copolymer PEG‐b‐poly(MPC‐Azo/DEA) was facilely prepared for the first time by azide‐alkyne click chemistry between amphiphilic block copolymer bearing pendant alkynyl group poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(5‐methyl‐5‐propargylxycarbonyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐2‐one) (PEG‐b‐poly(MPC)) and two azide‐containing compounds azobenzene derivative (Azo‐N₃) and 2‐azido‐1‐ethyl‐diethylamine (DEA‐N₃). Light response of the polymeric nanoparticles benefits from the azobenzene segments and pH responsiveness is attributed to DEA moieties. The prepared copolymer could self‐assemble into spherical micelle particles. The morphological changes of these particles in response to dual stimuli were investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nile Red (NR) was utilized as probe, and fluorescence spectroscopy was served as an evidence for the enhanced release of cargos from polymeric nanoparticles under combined stimulation. Anticancer drug, DOX was loaded into the nanoparticles and the loaded‐DOX could be released from these nanoparticles under dual stimuli. MTT assays further demonstrated that PEG‐b‐poly(MPC) and PEG‐b‐poly(MPC‐Azo/DEA) were of biocompatibility and low toxicity against HepG2 cells as well as SMCC‐7721 cells. More importantly, the prepared DOX‐loaded nanoparticles exhibited good anticancer ability for the two cells. The synthesized light and pH dual‐sensitive biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles were expected to be platforms for precisely controlled release of encapsulated molecules. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1773–1783     

A Tri‐Stimuli‐Responsive Shape‐Memory Material Using Host–Guest Interactions as Molecular Switches

A thermo‐, photo‐ and chemoresponsive shape‐memory material is successfully prepared by introducing α‐cyclodextrin (αCD) and azobenzene (Azo) into a poly(acrylate acid)/alginate (PAA/Alg) network. The tri‐stimuli‐responsive formation/dissociation of αCD‐Azo acts as molecular switches freezing or increasing the molecular mobility. The resulting film herein can be processed into temporary shapes as needed and recovers its initial shape upon the application of light irradiation, heating, or chemical agent independently. Furthermore, the agar diffusion test suggests that the α‐CD‐Alg/Azo‐PAA has good biocompatibility for L929 fibroblast‐like cells.

     

基于β-环糊精与偶氮苯衍生物的基因传递体系构筑

通过β-环糊精修饰聚乙烯亚胺(HPEI-CDs)与偶氮苯修饰聚乙二醇(Azo-PEG)的主客体作用,制备了HPEI-CDs/Azo-PEG/DNA自组装体,并对其生理盐溶液稳定性、粒径形貌及光控特性进行了研究。结果表明,对比HPEI-CDs/DNA自组装体,PEG的引入显著提高了其生理盐稳定性,借助PEG壳层的电荷屏蔽和CD氢键的协同作用,自组装体表面电位仅为+3mV,粒径分布均匀,呈现球形结构。在365nm波长光照下,HPEI-CDs/Azo-PEG/DNA的表面电位迅速增加,随着光照时间的延长,其ζ电位最终增大到与HPEI-CDs/DNA相近水平,这表明偶氮苯(Azo)空间结构发生转变,PEG层成功从组装体脱离。     

含两个识别点的侧链准聚轮烷的制备

合成了侧链含烷基链(C₇)及偶氮基团(Azo)两个疏水基团修饰的聚合物4,并基于环糊精与两个疏水基团C₇、Azo的不同结合能力,制备了含两个识别点的侧链准聚轮烷.首先,在聚合物4的溶液中加入α-环糊精(α-CD),α-CD分别包结在C₇及Azo部分,得到了侧链准聚轮烷;第二步,在365 nm的紫外光光照下,聚合物4侧链端基的trans-Azo异构为cis-Azo,α-CD从Azo部分解离,但α-CD仍包结在C₇部分,得到了侧链聚轮烷;第三步,在侧链聚轮烷溶液中加入β-环糊精(β-CD),β-CD包结在cis-Azo部分,得到了α-CD、β-CD分别包结两个疏水识别点的侧链准聚轮烷.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Novel Chiral 1-Methylpropargyl Ester Carrying Azobenzene Moiety

A novel chiral methylpropargyl ester containing azobenzene moiety(S)-(-)-3-methyl-3-{4-[4-(n-octyloxy)phenylazophenyl]carbonyl}oxy-1-propyne 3(C25H30N2O3,Mr = 406.51) was synthesized and characterized by IR,NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.The crystal is of monoclinic system,space group P21 with a=6.7610(17),b=7.675(2),c=22.749(7),β=97.613(6)°,V=1170.1(6)3,Z=2,Dc=1.154,F(000)=436,μ=0.076 mm-1,R=0.0544 and wR=0.1569 for 2444 observed reflections with Ⅰ2σ(Ⅰ).Structure analysis proved that the azobenzene presents a trans form,and intermolecular hydrogen bonds yield a 3D framework.The chiral acetylene carrying azobenzene moieties can be a potential alternative nonlinear optical,helical polymer,and liquid crystalline material.     

Cyclodextrin complexation of a stilbene and the self-assembly of a simple molecular device

(E)-4-tert-Butyl-4'-oxystilbene, 1(-), is thermally stable as the (E)-1(-) isomer but may be photoisomerized to the (Z)-1(-) isomer as shown by UV-vis and (1)H NMR studies in aqueous solution. When (E)-1(-) is complexed by alphaCD two inclusion isomers (includomers) form in which alphaCD assumes either of the two possible orientations about the axis of (E)-1(-) in alphaCD.(E)-1(-) for which (1)H NMR studies yield the parameters: k(1)(298 K)= 12.3 +/- 0.6 s(-1), DeltaH(1)(++)= 94.3 +/- 4.7 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS1(++)= 92.0 +/- 5.0 J K(-1) mol(-1), and k(2)(298 K)= 10.7 +/- 0.5 s(-1), DeltaH(2)(++)= 93.1 +/- 4.7 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS2(++)= 87.3 +/- 5.0 J K(-1) mol(-1) for the minor and major includomers, respectively. The betaCD.(E)-1(-) complex either forms a single includomer or its includomers interchange at the fast exchange limit of the (1)H NMR timescale. Complexation of 1(-) by N-(6(A)-deoxy- alpha-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)-N'-(6(A)-deoxy- beta-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)urea, results in the binary complexes 2.(E)-1(-) in which both CD component annuli are occupied by (E)-1(-) and which exists exclusively in darkness and 2.(Z)-1(-) in which only one CD component is occupied by (Z)-1(-) and exists exclusively in daylight at lambda > or = 300 nm. Irradiation of solutions of the binary complexes at 300 and 355 nm results in photostationary states dominated by 2.(E)-1(-) and 2.(Z)-1(-), respectively. In the presence of 4-methylbenzoate, 4(-), 2.(Z)-1(-) forms the ternary complex 2.(Z)-1(-).4(-) where 4(-) occupies the second CD annulus. Interconversion occurs between 2.(Z)-1(-).4(-) and 2.(E)-1(-)+4(-) under the same conditions as for the binary complexes alone. Similar interactions occur in the presence of 4-methylphenolate and 4-methylphenylsulfonate. The two isomers of each of these systems represent different states of a molecular device, as do the analogous binary complexes of N,N-bis(6(A)-deoxy- beta-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)urea, 3, [3.(E)-1(-) and 3.(Z)-1(-), where the latter also forms a ternary complex with 4(-).     

Identification of face-to-face inclusion complex formation of cyclodextrin bearing an azobenzene group by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The solution-based self-assembly of native and permethylated cyclodextrins (CD) bearing an azobenzene substituent has been studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results revealed that the CD molecules form either a contact or a face-to-face inclusion complex depending on the interaction of their substituents. The mass spectrometric study further demonstrated that the inclusion complex is formed through the interaction between the host CD cavity and the guest-substituent and that a contact complex is formed by hydrogen-bonding of the hydroxyl functions at the rims of the CD molecule. We also found that in order to detect the face-to-face inclusion complex by ESI-MS, the following conditions have to be met: (1) The CD moieties must be permethylated to avoid formation of the contact complex, (2) they must possess a guest-substituent of suitable length, such as an azobenzene moiety, and (3) they must possess an NH(2) or OH group at the substituent terminals for protonation and for detection as cations by ESI-MS. Formation of the inclusion complexes was further confirmed by the synthesis of a capped inclusion dimer and a capped monomer. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments have been carried out for the contact, the host-guest inclusion, and the capped inclusion dimers, and the contact complexes are found to be the most stable among them.     

A Rapidly Self‐Healing Supramolecular Polymer Hydrogel with Photostimulated Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence Responsiveness

Development of self‐healing and photostimulated luminescent supramolecular polymeric materials is important for artificial soft materials. A supramolecular polymeric hydrogel is reported based on the host–guest recognition between a β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) host polymer (poly‐β‐CD) and an α‐bromonaphthalene (α‐BrNp) polymer (poly‐BrNp) without any additional gelator, which can self‐heal within only about one minute under ambient atmosphere without any additive. This supramolecular polymer system can be excited to engender room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signals based on the fact that the inclusion of β‐CD macrocycle with α‐BrNp moiety is able to induce RTP emission (CD‐RTP). The RTP signal can be adjusted reversibly by competitive complexation of β‐CD with azobenzene moiety under specific irradiation by introducing another azobenzene guest polymer (poly‐Azo).     

Functionally integrated liquid crystalline photochromic triple block copolymer with locally light‐ and thermal‐controllable sub‐blocks

Photoorientation and reorientation processes induced by illumination of the samples with oppositely directed polarized light and by the thermal treatment were studied for the films of triblock copolymer pAzo₁₀‐b‐pPhM₈₀‐b‐pAzo₁₀ consisting of a nematic phenyl benzoate сentral sub‐block (PhM, DP = 80) with two terminal smectic azobenzene sub‐blocks (Azo, DP = 10). For amorphized films of triblock copolymer, illumination with polarized light (λ = 546 nm) is shown to be by orientation of only Azo‐containing groups, but upon following annealing of the film, PhM groups are adjusted to the orientation of Azo fragments. It was found, that the subsequent illumination of the block copolymer sample with oppositely directed polarized light changes the orientation of azobenzene groups, while the orientation of phenyl benzoate groups is remained unchanged. Thus, the cyclic illumination of the triblock copolymer samples by the linear polarized light and subsequent thermal treatment make it possible to control and fix orientation of azobenzene and phenyl benzoate groups located in different sub‐blocks in the desired and independent manner. The comparison of these results with the data on random p(Azo₇‐ran‐PhM₃₀) copolymer of the similar composition revealed, that in the random copolymer, both Azo and PhM mesogenic groups are involved in the orientational cooperative process regardless of films process treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1602–1611     

Effect of Photoinduced Size Changes on Protein Refolding and Transport Abilities of Soft Nanotubes

Self‐assembly of azobenzene‐modified amphiphiles (Gly_nAzo, n=1–3) in water at room temperature in the presence of a protein produced nanotubes with the protein encapsulated in the channels. The Gly₂Azo nanotubes (7 nm internal diameter [i.d.]) promoted refolding of some encapsulated proteins, whereas the Gly₃Azo nanotubes (13 nm i.d.) promoted protein aggregation. Although the 20 nm i.d. channels of the Gly₁Azo nanotubes were too large to influence the encapsulated proteins, narrowing of the i.d. to 1 nm by trans‐to‐cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene units of the Gly₁Azo monomers packed in the solid bilayer membranes led to a squeezing out of the proteins into the bulk solution and simultaneously enhanced their refolding ratios. In contrast, photoinduced transformation of the Gly₂Azo nanotubes to short nanorings (<40 nm) with a large i.d. (28 nm) provided no further refolding assistance. We thus demonstrate that pertubation by the solid bilayer membrane wall of the nanotubes is important to accelerate refolding of the denatured proteins during their transport in the narrow nanotube channels.     

A NEW METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF CARBONYL DIAZO COMPOUNDS

Azo compounds are very important in organic chemistry. In resent years, some notoworthy studies show that azobenzene derivatives possess very good optic remembering and photoelectric properties, optical switching and image storage by means of azobenzene liquid crystal film.^1,2 We have reported some new methods for the Azo compounds³. In this paper, We describe a new oxidation system KCIO₃/H₂SO₄ catalyzed by FeSO₄ to synthesis diazo compounds (ArN=NCON=NAr) in short time and good yield for the first time.