Synthesis and electrochromic properties of polyimides with pendent benzimidazole and triphenylamine units

Five novel near-infrared electrochromic aromatic polyimides(PIs) with pendent benzimidazole group were synthesized from 4,4'-diamino-4'-(1-benzylbenzimidazol-2-yl)triphenylamine(named as DBBT) with five different dianhydrides via two-step polymerization process, respectively. The maximum UV-Vis absorption bands of these PIs locate at about 335 nm for solid films due to the π-π* transitions. A reversible pair of distinct redox peaks, that were associated with a noticeable color change from original yellow to blue, was observed in the cyclic voltammetry(CV) test. A new absorption peak emerged at 847 nm in near-infrared(NIR) region with increasing voltage in UV-Vis-NIR spectrum, which indicates that PI can be used as NIR electrochromic material. These novel PIs have good electrochemical stability, appropriate energy levels for the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO), in the range of-5.17 e V to-5.20 e V and-2.14 e V to-2.26 e V(versus the vacuum level) determined by cyclic voltammetry method. These values basically consisted with the results of quantum chemical calculation. These polyimides can be used as novel electrochromic and hole transportation materials.     

Molecular structures of antitumor active Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of N,N-donor benzimidazole methyl ester

[MLCl₂]?·?zH₂O?·?C₂H₅OH (L?=?2-[(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-amino]-benzoic acid methyl ester; M?=?Pd, z?=?2; M?=?Pt, z?=?0) complexes were synthesized as potential antitumor compounds and their structures were elucidated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic data. Theoretical molecular structures were investigated by the DFT/B3LYP method using the LANL2DZ basis set. The calculated molecular parameters, bond distances, and angles, revealed a square-planar geometry around the metal through pyridine-type nitrogen (N_py) of benzimidazole and the secondary amino group (NH_sec). The lone pair interaction LP(2)O48 of ethanol with anti-bonding σ*(C(16)–H(29)) is an evidence for charge transfer from ethanol to platinum. The electronic movement and assignment of electronic spectra were carried out by TD-DFT calculations. The ligand in comparison to its metal complexes was screened for antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity.     

Novel hot-melting hyperbranched poly（ester-amine） bearing self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonding units

Hyperbranched poly（amine-ester）s bearing self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonding units display excellent mechanical and temperature-dependent melt rheological properties, which make them suitable as novel hot-melting materials.     

Molecular structures, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions of 3-(2-bromo-pyridinium)-propionic acid and 3-(pyridinium)-pivalic acid halides

Intra- and intermolecular interactions and the conformations of 3-(2-bromo-pyridinium)-propionic acid bromide (1) and 3-(pyridinium)-pivalic acid chloride (2) have been studied by X-ray diffraction and theoretically. In these complexes, Br⁻ and Cl⁻ anions are H-bonded to the COOH group and interact electrostatically with the positively charged nitrogen atoms of neighbouring molecules. To analyse these interactions theoretically, the structures of monomers and dimers in various configurations were optimized by PM3 and BLYP/6-31G(d,p) methods. The analysis confirmed the vital role of both the H-bonds and electrostatic interactions (intra- and intermolecular) for the molecular conformation and the ionic aggregation in the solid state.     

One-pot synthesis of supramolecular polymer containing quadruple hydrogen bonding units

A facile, efficient technique was built to synthesize a supramolecular material containing quadruple hydrogen bonding sites. The current approach presented here involves a single-step reaction between the amine of precursor, e.g. methyl isocytosine (MIC) and the epoxy group of polymer, e.g. poly(ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether) (PEG DGE, M_n = 526 g/mol, as verified using ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), UV/visible spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) clearly show that the product is not a simple mixture of two components, but the supramolecular polymer containing quadruple hydrogen bonding sites. Complex melt viscosities reveal that mechanical properties of the supramolecular polymer are enhanced by more than 10⁴ times compared to the pristine low molecular weight polymer, giving rise to the significant change of physical state from liquid to solid. Current approach also illustrates an advantageous route because it does not need the selective use of monofunctionalized precursor and not produce a dead, difunctionalized precursor.     

Synthesis and imidization of poly(amic methyl ester)s

The synthesis and characterization of a series of poly(amic methyl ester)s from five aromatic dianhydrides and a diamine, 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA), are described. These poly(amic ester)s are obtained by the low-temperature polycondensation from dianhydrides derived diesterdiacyl chlorides and ODA in DMAc solution with the inherent viscosities in the 0.5–0.9 dL/g range. These precursors are readily soluble in aprotic solvents. A detailed thermal study of the imidization process is presented, based on dynamic and isothermal TGA measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis, characterization and hydrolytic stability of poly (amic acid) ammonium salt

A series of new poly (amic acid) ammonium salt (PAAS) precursors were prepared by incorporating different amounts of triethylamine (TEA) into terpolymer polyamic acid (PAA), which was synthesized by pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 4,4’-oxydianiline (ODA) and p-phenylenediamine (PDA) in dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Then, the PAAS films were made by casting their solutions onto glass plates followed by the evaporation of the solvent. The chemical structure of PAAS films was confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties, intrinsic viscosities and solubility of PAAS precursors were examined, respectively. It was found that the intrinsic viscosity of PAA solution obviously decreased with storage time during 30 days, while no distinct changes were observed in the intrinsic viscosity of the PAAS (the mole ratio of TEA/repeating unit of PAA = 2/1) solution after 90 days. The results suggested that hydrolytic stability of the PAAS films was significantly improved as compared with that of PAA film due to the polyelectrolyte structure of PAAS. Moreover, the thermal and mechanical properties of polyimide (PI) films prepared from PAAS precursors were also investigated, respectively.     

Unique trifurcated hydrogen bonding in a pseudopolymorph of tricyclohexane triperoxide (TCTP) and its thermal studies

Tricyclohexane triperoxide (TCTP) was synthesized as a main by-product of tetraoxane synthesis and was characterized by spectroscopic techniques viz. ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR and Raman. The single crystal X-ray structure revealed the inclusion of solvent in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio involving a unique trifurcated C(sp³)-H?O hydrogen bonding imparting remarkable symmetry to the molecule. The thermal stability of single crystal was determined by TG-DTA and DSC.     

Improved oxygen barrier performance of poly(vinyl alcohol) films through hydrogen bond complex with poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid)

Hydrogen bonding between poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) (PMVE-MA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) has resulted in films with lower oxygen transmission rates (OTR) than pure PVOH. In the range 20-30% (w/w) PMVE-MA, complexation between the two polymers in the blend was maximized, as shown by viscometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. OTR measurements have shown that the maximum interpolymer complexation ratio also correlates with the lowest OTR values of the resulting film. The improved oxygen barrier properties are believed to be a combination of the relatively intact PVOH crystalline regions as shown with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a higher degree of hydrogen bonding in the amorphous regions of the PVOH and PMVE-MA films as indicated by glass transition temperature (T_g) shifts. This leads to denser amorphous regions that reduces the rate of gases diffusing through the polymer film, hence the reduced OTR.     

Solid‐state amidization and imidization reactions in vapor‐deposited poly(amic acid)

The condensation polymerization of 4,4′‐oxydianiline with pyromellitic dianhydride for the formation of poly(amic acid) and the subsequent imidization for the formation of polyimides were investigated for films prepared with vapor‐deposition polymerization techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry of films at different temperatures indicated that additional solid‐state polymerization occurred before imidization. The experiments revealed that, upon vapor deposition, poly(amic acid) oligomers formed that had a number‐average molecular weight of about 1500 Da. Between 100–130 °C, these chains underwent an additional condensation reaction and formed slightly higher molecular weight oligomers. Calorimetry measurements showed that this reaction was exothermic [enthalpy of reaction (ΔH) ～ ?30 J/g] and had an activation energy of about 120 kJ/mol. The experimental ΔH values were compared with results from ab initio molecular modeling calculations to estimate the number of amide groups formed. At higher temperatures (150–300 °C), the imidization of amide linkages occurred as an endothermic reaction (ΔH ～ +120 J/g) with an activation energy of about 130 kJ/mol. The solid‐state kinetics depended on the reaction conversion as well as the processing conditions used to deposit the films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5999–6010, 2004     

Dispersion of nano-carbon filled polyimide composites using self-degradated low molecular poly(amic acid) as impurity-free dispersant

Polyimide (PI)-based composite films incorporated with carbon black (CB), carbon nanotube (CNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF), respectively, were prepared using low-molecular-weight poly(amic acid) (PAA), a precursor of PI, as an impurity-free dispersant. High-energy ball mill was employed not only to downsize the nano-carbon agglomerates, but also to cut off the PAA chains for in-situ stabilizing the dispersion. Effect of the ball milling time, procedure, and filler species on the filler dispersion was investigated by means of electrical resistivity reproducibility, morphology observation, and mechanical testing. Comparing with direct dispersion of the nano-carbon in PAA, the composite films fabricated by a two-step approach, that is dispersion from the in-situ degradated low-molecular-weight PAA stabilized nano-carbon slurry, presented a uniform electrical conductivity with a lower percolation concentration and excellent reproducibility in the percolation region. A significant improvement in the Young’s modulus for the CNT loaded PI film was achieved, which was much more effective than those filled with CB or CNF.     

Oxidation of alcohols using a manganese (II) complex based on a pentakis benzimidazole amide ligand

A pentakis benzimidazole based penta-amide ligand diethylenetriamine—N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentakis(2-methyl benzimidazolyl)penta-amide [GBDTPA] has been synthesized and utilized to prepare Mn (II) complexes of general composition [Mn₂(GBDTPA)X₄], where X is an exogenous anionic ligand (X = Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ and Br⁻). The oxidation of alcohols has been investigated using [Mn₂(GBDTPA)Cl₄] as the catalyst and TBHP as an alternate source of oxygen. The respective aldehydic products have been isolated and characterized by ¹H NMR.     

Preparation and characterization of polyimide/mesoporous silica hybrid nanocomposites based on water-soluble poly(amic acid) ammonium salt

Recently, mesoporous silica was blended with polyimide to develop low dielectric constant (k) materials with improving mechanical and thermal properties of polyimide by utilizing both the nanoporous structure and silica framework. However, even the use of mesoporous silica did not show a significant decrease of k due to the phase segregation in between polyimide and the mesoporous silica materials. In this work, we attempted to prepare polyimide/mesoporous silica hybrid nanocomposites having relatively good phase mixing behavior by utilizing polyimide synthesized from a water soluble poly(amic acid) ammonium salt, which lead to low k up to 2.45. The thermal properties of polyimide were improved by adding mesoporous silicas. For this work, we have fabricated mesoporous silicas through surfactant-templated condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)-4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) polyimide was prepared from poly(amic acid) ammonium salt, which had been obtained by incorporating triethylamine (TEA) into PMDA-ODA poly(amic acid) in dimethylacetamide (DMAc), followed by thermal imidization.     

Chiral eighteen-component three-dimensional supramolecular entities stabilized by the hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions

A new class of chiral eighteen-component three-dimensional supramolecular entities has been assembled in toluene and chloroform from twelve zinc porphyrin-appended 2-(ethylamino)- pyrimido[4,5-b][1,8]naphthyridin-4(3H)-one monomers and six chiral bipyridyl compounds. The heterocyclic segments form two C₆-symmetric cyclic hexamers, which are stabilized by a well-established DDA-AAD hydrogen bonding motif, while the six chiral bispyridine ligands are coordinated to the corresponding zinc porphyrin units to give the two-layered architectures. The structures have been characterized by the ¹H NMR, UV-vis and circular dichroism experiments, which also reveals that, when the concentration of the monomers is high enough, the chiral supramolecular entity can be formed exclusively.     

Self-healing biodegradable poly(urea-urethane) elastomers based on hydrogen bonding interactions

 Self-healing poly(urea-urethane)s (PUUs) showing a tolerance to mechanical damage are particularly desirable for high-performance elastomeric biomaterials. In this study a kind of biodegradable PUUs was synthesized from poly(ε-caprolactone) diol with L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (LDI) extended with L-lysine ethyl ester dihydrochloride (LEED) in DMF and characterized by using ¹H-NMR, FTIR, DSC, XRD, SEM and tensile tests. Interestingly, they exhibited a self-healing characteristic upon exposure to 37℃ for as short as 30 min with the tensile strength keeping at 4.23 MPa and the elongation at break reaching to 627%. It is revealed that increasing the hard segment content in PUUs benefits the self-healing performance, and on the opposite increasing the soft segment content contributes to the biodegradability.     

3D-supramolecular copper(I) cyanide coordination polymers through hydrogen bonding

The reactions of K₃[Cu(CN)₄], 3-acetylpyridine (3-Acpy) or 4-acetylpyridine (4-Acpy) in the presence of Me₃SnCl in H₂O/acetonitrile media at room temperature afford the 3D-supramolecular coordination polymers (SCPs)_∞³[Cu₂CN(μ-CN)·(3-Acpy)₂] 1 and _∞³[Cu₂CN(μ-CN)·(4-Acpy)₂] 2. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of Cu₂CN building blocks which are connected by CN groups, forming 1D-zig-zag chains. Each chain is bonded to another chain by hydrogen bonding into a 2D-layer, which is further stacked in an interwoven mode by π–π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds in 1 and 2, as well as Cu···Cu interactions in 1, to create supramolecular 3D-network structures. The high dimensional topologies of 1 and 2 result mainly from extensive hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking. The long wavelength absorption band at 400–420 nm in the electronic spectra of 1 and 2 is assigned to a CT from copper(I) to the Acpy ligand. Compound 2 exhibits strong luminescence at 485 and 527 nm, corresponding to MLCT and metal-centered transitions, respectively.     

The conformational effect of form I helical poly(L-proline) and form II helical poly(L-proline) to the complex formation with helical poly(L-glutamic acid) through hydrogen bonding

The complex formation between helical poly-L-glutamic acid (PLGA) and helical poly-L-proline (PLP) was studied in a methanol-water (2 : 1) cosolvent and a propanol-water cosolvent (9 : 1). Reduced viscosity, circular dichroism, pH, and molar absorptivity were measured. The experimental results exhibit that the interpolymer complex was formed between helical PLGA and helical PLP through hydrogen bonding. When the complex was formed the unit mole ratio of PLGA : PLP(II) is 2 : 1 and PLGA : PLP(I) is 1.5 : 1, the ability of complex formation of PLP (II) with PLGA is better than that of PLP(I). On complexation the conformations of PLGA and PLP change and this change is more enhanced in the PLGA-PLP(II) than the PLGA-PLP(I) complex; its cause is studied. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Influence of assembling pH on the stability of poly(L-glutamic acid) and poly(L-lysine) multilayers against urea treatment

Polyelectrolyte multilayers of poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) and poly(L-lysine) (PLL) were built up using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique in low pH (3.6, PM3.6) and in neutral pH (7.4, PM7.4) solutions. The multilayers were then treated with a concentrated urea (one kind of denaturant for proteins and polypeptides) solution (8M) and rinsed with corresponding buffer. The buildup and treatment processes were investigated by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and ellipsometry. The surface morphology was observed by scanning force microscopy (SFM). The inner structures were determined by X-ray reflectometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). An exponential growth of the optical mass and the layer thickness was observed for both PM3.6 and PM7.4. After urea treatment, a significant mass loss for PM3.6 was found, while no mass change was recorded for PM7.4. The dominant driving force for PM7.4 is electrostatic interaction, resulting in multilayers with an abundant beta-sheet structure, which has higher stability against urea treatment. By contrast, the dominant driving force for PM3.6 is hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction, which are sensitive to the urea treatment. The mechanism is substantiated by molecular mechanics calculation. This has offered a convenient pathway to mediate the multilayer properties, which is of great importance for potential applications.     

Supramolecular polymers fabricated by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydrogen bonding and macrocyclic host–guest interactions

Supramolecular polymers constructed by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydrogen bonding and macrocyclic host-guest interactions have received increasing attention due to their elegant structures,outstanding properties,and potential applications.Hydrogen bonding endows these supramolecular polymers with good adaptability and reversibility,while macrocyclic host-guest interactions give them good selectivity and versatile stimuli-responsiveness.Therefore,functional supramolecular polymers fabricated by these two highly specific,noninterfering interactions in an orthogonal way have shown wide applications in the fields of molecular machines,electronics,soft materials,etc.In this review,we discuss the recent advances of functional supramolecular polymers fabricated by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydroge n bonding and host-guest interactions.In particular,we focus on crown ether-and pillar[n]arene-based supramolecular polymers due to their compatibility with multiple hydrogen bonds in organic solution.The fabrication strategies,interesting properties,and potential applications of these advanced supramolecular materials are mainly concerned.     

Two‐step thermal conversion from poly(amic acid) to polybenzoxazole via polyimide: Their thermal and mechanical properties

Poly(amic acid) was synthesized with a low‐temperature solution polymerization of 3,3′‐dihydroxybenzidine and pyromellitic dianhydride in N,N‐dimethylacetamide. The cast films were thermally treated at various temperatures. The polyimide containing the hydroxyl group was rearranged by decarboxylation, resulting in a fully aromatic polybenzoxazole at temperatures higher than 430 °C. These stepwise cyclizations were monitored with elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Microanalysis results confirmed the chemical compositions of poly(amic acid), polyimide, and polybenzoxazole, respectively. A cyclodehydration from poly(amic acid) to polyimide occurred between 150 and 250 °C in differential scanning calorimetry, and a cyclodecarboxylation to polybenzoxazole appeared at 400–500 °C. All the samples were stable up to 625 °C in nitrogen and displayed excellent thermal stability. Polybenzoxazole showed better thermal stability than polyimide, but polyimide exhibited better mechanical properties than polybenzoxazole. However, polyimide showed a crystalline pattern under a wide‐angle X‐ray, whereas polybenzoxazole was amorphous. The precursor poly(amic acid) was readily soluble in a variety of solvents, whereas the polyimide and polybenzoxazole were not soluble at all. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2537–2545, 2000