Three Short Stories about Hexaarylbenzene–Porphyrin Scaffolds

A feasible two‐step synthesis and characterization of a full series of hexaarylbenzene (HAB) substituted porphyrins and tetrabenzoporphyrins is presented. Key steps represent the microwave‐assisted porphyrin condensation and the statistical Diels–Alder reaction to the desired HAB‐porphyrins. Regarding their applications, they proved to be easily accessible and effective high molecular mass calibrants for (MA)LDI mass spectrometry. The free‐base and zinc(II) porphyrin systems, as well as the respective tetrabenzoporphyrins, demonstrate in solid state experiments strong red‐ and near‐infrared‐light emission and are potentially interesting for the application in “truly organic” light‐emitting devices. Lastly, they represent facile precursors to large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) substituted porphyrins. We prepared the first tetra‐hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene substituted porphyrin, which represents the largest prepared PAH‐porphyrin conjugate to date.     

Polymerization of 1,3,5-Tri(1,3,5,7-tetra)-methyl-1,3,5-tri(1,3,5,7-tetra)-10-carbomethoxydecylctri(tetra)siloxane

The cationic and anionic polymerization of 1,3,5-tri(1,3,5,7-tetra)methyl-1,3,5-tri (1,3,5,7-tetra)-10-carbomethoxydecylcyclotri (tetra) siloxane, catalyzed by sulfuric acid and alkali metal naphthalenes, respectively, was studied. With sulfuric acid the polymer yield increased with increasing catalyst concentration, while the molecular weights decreased. With potassium naphthalene the polymerization reaction was first order to monomer, and the molecular weights increased linearly with increasing the percent conversion in accordance with a “living” polymerization. In both cases the polymerization was an equilibrium reaction and the conversion was about 85%. Only low molecular weight polymers were obtained due to steric effects of the bulky long-chain substituents.     

Asymmetrically substituted tetra(meso-aryl)porphyrins bearing peripheral 2,6-diisobornylphenol and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol moieties

Russian Chemical Bulletin - Asymmetrically substituted tetra(meso-aryl)porphyrins bearing peripheral diisobornyl- phenol and di-tert-butylphenol moieties were synthesized by a mixed aldehyde...     

The theoretical study on anionic polymerization mechanism of maleimide: Chain propagation by p‐π conjugation process

A complete research on the mechanism of the anionic polymerization of maleimide was performed, not only including the chain initiation, but the propagation as well. The density functional theory method is employed to investigate the reaction pathway using 6‐311+G* basis set, and the Onsager model is also applied to imitate the effect of solvent on the structures and thermodynamic functions of the key steps. It is found that the initiation starts with a nucleophilic reaction, in which the key transition state shows a π‐complex structure. In contrast, the calculated chain propagation (both dimer and trimer process) employs a p‐π conjugation chain propagation mechanism (p‐π CCPM), characterized by the formation of p‐π conjugation orbital between the chain terminal C atom and monomer C?C double bond. This mechanism is in good agreement with the frontier molecular theory and the principle of conservation of molecular orbital symmetry. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Magnetic properties and electronic structure of manganese(III) porphyrins

The average magnetic susceptibility (1.2-100 K) and magnetisation (100–15000 Oe at 4.2 K) of two perchlorato manganese(III) porphyrins establish them to be high-spin, in contrast to the “anomalous” behaviour of analogous iron(III) porphyrins. An explanation of the origin of the zero-field splitting in high-spin manganese(III) porphyrins is presented.     

Theoretical study of novel porphyrins bearing electron donor–acceptor groups

This research project is focused on molecules that comprise a series of asymmetrically A₃B‐type meso‐substituted free‐base porphyrins and their related Zn‐metalloporphyrins. A and B were taken as electron‐donor and electron–acceptor groups. Full geometry optimizations without symmetry constrains were performed with B3LYP/6‐31G(d,P) methodology. Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations of the optimized structures indicate that there is a good agreement with the available experimental results. The highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gaps (ranging between 2.62 and 2.80 eV) are similar to those reported before for other porphyrins (2.29 eV). Also, the LUMO is situated close to the conduction band of titanium oxide, increasing the possibility of a charge transfer process. As porphyrins may act as electron transfer systems, the electron donor–acceptor capacity of these systems is characterized using two parameters; electrodonating (χ?) and electroaccepting (χ+) electronegativity. The main goal of this investigation is to analyze the electronic structure and the donor–acceptor properties of these porphyrins to see if these compounds could be useful for further applications related to the design of solar cells. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tuning anion‐π interaction via halogen substituent effects in cyanuric acids and its derivatives

Several anion‐π complexes of isocyanuric acid, thioderivatives and their halogen substituted derivatives with chloride anion have been studied. The geometric and energetic features, charges transfer from chloride anion to the aromatic rings and “atoms‐in‐molecules” analysis are performed and discussed for these complexes. The results show that the strength of the anion‐π interaction between cyanuric derivatives and chloride anion can be tuned by halogen‐substituting. The localized molecular orbital energy decomposition analyses shows that, in the total interaction, exchange and electrostatic energies are the dominant stabilizing forces, and the polarization energies also make a favorable contribution. Finally, solvent effect significantly weakens the anion‐π interaction between the isocyanuric derivatives and chloride anion, especially in polar solvents. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

四（对叔丁基）硫杂杯[4]芳烃选择性包合四氟硼酸分子：晶体结构和理论研究

X－射线晶体衍射测定了4－(对叔丁基)硫杂杯[4]芳烃选择性地包合四氟硼酸分子。晶体学数据为：C₄₀H₄₉O₄S₄BF₄，M_r=808.88， 四方锥， 空间群 P4/nmm，a=1.5887(2), b=1.5887(2), c=0.8428(0) nm, V=2.127(2) nm³, Z=2, D_c=1.263 g·cm^-3, R₁=0.0405, _WR[I>2σ(I)]=0.1218. ¹⁹F NMR谱中，在-151.4 ppm处出现的峰，证实了四氟硼酸的存在。用Bader的分子中的原子理论方法计算了分子结构中的非共价键相互作用。结果显示，在四氟硼酸包合物中，除了F…H－C氢键作用和阳离子－阴离子的静电作用外，F^δ--C^δ+静电作用的存在也对4－(对叔丁基)硫杂杯[4]芳烃憎水空腔包合氟硼酸分子起到了稳定作用。     

Carbon‐bridged Oligo(phenylenevinylene)s as Light‐harvesting Antenna for Porphyrins

The efficacy of carbon‐bridged oligo(phenylenevinylenes)s (COPVs) as light‐harvesting antenna for porphyrins is demonstrated using a series of 5,15‐di‐COPVn‐substituted free‐base and zinc porphyrins, COPVn‐MP‐COPVn (n=1–3, M=H₂, Zn). These molecules were synthesized by Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of COPVn‐Bpin and Br‐H₂P‐Br . The absorption spectra of these compounds in solution show a significant expansion of the Soret band region together with a bathochromic shift of the Q band, suggesting a significant interaction between these chromophores in the ground state. The photoluminescence quantum yield of the porphyrin‐COPV conjugates is enhanced up to four times relative to the parent porphyrins. Theoretical calculations also indicated interactions between these chromophores in the HOMO, which suggests that the light‐harvesting ability stems from the expansion of the π‐electron‐conjugation system.     

Synthesis and characterization of color‐stable electroluminescent polymers: Poly(dinaphtho[1,2‐a:1′,2′‐g]‐s‐indacene)s

Two new stepladder conjugated polymers, that is, poly(7,7,15,15‐tetraoctyldinaphtho[1,2‐a:1′,2′‐g]‐s‐indacene) (PONSI) and poly(7,7,15,15‐tetra(4‐octylphenyl)dinaphtho[1,2‐a:1′,2′‐g]‐s‐indacene) (PANSI) with alkyl and aryl substituents, respectively, have been synthesized and characterized. In comparison with poly(indenofluorene)s, both polymers have extended conjugation at the direction perpendicular to the polymer backbone because of the introduction of naphthalene moieties. The emission color of the polymers in film state is strongly dependent on the substituents. While PONSI emits at a maximum of 463 nm, PANSI with the same backbone but aryl substituents displays dramatically redshifted emission with a maximum at 494 nm. Both polymers show stable photoluminescence spectra while annealing at 200 °C in inert atmosphere. The PONSI‐based devices with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/Ca/Al turn on at 3.7 V, and emit at a maximum of 461 nm with the CIE coordinates of (0.19, 0.26), a maximum luminance efficiency of 1.40 cd/A, and a maximum brightness of 2036 cd/m² at 13 V. Meanwhile, the emission color of the devices is independent of driving voltage and keeps unchanged during the continuous operation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4866–4878, 2008     

π‐Extended Star‐Shaped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons based on Fused Truxenes: Synthesis,Self‐Assembly,and Facilely Tunable Emission Properties

A new set of star‐shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) based on naphthalene‐fused truxenes, TrNaCn (n=1–4), were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis involved a microwave‐assisted six‐fold Suzuki coupling reaction, followed by oxidative cyclodehydrogenation. Multiple dehydrocyclization products could be effectively isolated in a single reaction, thus suggesting that the oxidative cyclodehydrogenation reaction involved a stepwise ring‐closing process. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties and the self‐assembly behavior of the resulting oxidized samples were investigated to understand the impact of the ring‐fusing process on the properties of the star‐shaped PAHs. Distinct bathochromic shift of the absorption maxima (λ_max) revealed that the molecular conjugation extended with the stepwise ring‐closing reactions. The optical band‐gap energy of these PAHs varied significantly on increasing the number of fused rings, thereby resulting in readily tunable emissive properties of the resultant star‐shaped PAHs. Interestingly, the generation of rigid “arms” by using perylene analogues caused TrNaC2 and TrNaC3 to show significantly enhanced photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) in solution (η=0.65 and 0.66, respectively) in comparison with those of TrNa and TrNaC1 (η=0.08 and 0.16, respectively). Owing to strong intermolecular interactions, the TrNa precursor was able to self‐assemble into rod‐like microcrystals, which could be facilely identified by the naked eye, whilst TrNaC1 self‐assembled into nanosheets once the naphthalene rings had fused. This study offers a unique platform to gain further insight into—and a better understanding of—the photophysical and self‐assembly properties of π‐extended star‐shaped PAHs.     

Synthesis,characterization and luminescent properties of new copolymers of dimethacrylate derivatives of naphthalene‐2,7‐diol

Synthesis and characterization of new type photoluminescent, bulk copolymers of 2,7‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloyloxypropoxy)naphthalene (2,7‐NAF.DM) with different vinyl comonomers (methyl methacrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, divinylbenzene, styrene and N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) are presented. The chemical structure of 2,7‐NAF.DM was confirmed by NMR, GC‐MS and elemental analysis. The copolymers were characterized by ATR and thermal (differential scanning calorimetry) analyses. Their luminescent properties were studied in terms of quantum efficiency (Φ_abs), which was shown to change in the range of 50–90% depending on the type of comonomer. It was found that the green‐emitting species in these polymers can be excited directly by low‐energy (400–520 nm) photoirradiation. These materials can be applied in the liquid or solid states in the form of powders, films or monoliths. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction of naphthalene‐labeled poly(hydrochloride quaternized 2‐norbornene‐5‐methyleneamine) with O/W microemulsion droplets

Interaction between naphthalene‐labeled poly(hydrochloride quaternized 2‐norbornene‐5‐methyleneamine), poly(HCQNBMA)/NA (luminophore), and quencher, emulsifier or coemulsifier in the aqueous or microemulsion media was studied by using steady‐state fluorescence measurements. Fluorescence experiments were carried out with poly(HCQNBMA)/NA dissolved in the aqueous solutions of ionic and nonionic emulsifiers, emulsifier/n‐hexane/water microemulsion (A) and emulsifier/n‐hexane/1‐pentanol/water microemulsion (B), respectively. The intensity of fluorescence emission of poly(HCQNBMA)/NA was much higher in the aqueous phase than in microemulsion. Furthermore, the aqueous solution of ionic emulsifier increased the monomer emission. The increase in the monomer emission can be ascribed to the shielding of the naphthalene (NA) groups by SDS micelles. This separates NA groups from each other, which depresses the deactivation of excited states. The strong decrease in monomer emission within the microemulsion media probably results from the elongated conformation structure of the polymer molecule, and higher conformation freedom of NA groups, which increases interaction between the probe and the quencher. The formation of nonfluorescence clusters is not ruled out. The quenching of NA emission by nitromethan (NM) is much stronger in microemulsion than in the aqueous phase, and the quenching is more pronounced for the low molecular weight 2‐norbornene‐5‐methoxylnaphthalene (NBMNA) than for its polymer. The extent of penetration of reactants into the interfacial layer governs quenching of hydrophobic NA probe by hydrophilic quencher. Furthermore, the quenching events are connected with the thickness and density of the interfacial layer, as well as its charge. The addition of coemulsifier (1‐pentanol) increases the total surface area of the microdroplets, the entry rate of reactants into the microdroplets, and the interaction of hydrophobic and hydrophilic reactants. The quenching events are more pronounced in the close packed o/w interfacial layer than in the loosely packed one. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 101–114, 2001     

Synthesis,optical and electrochemical properties of arylenevinylene‐based π‐conjugated polymers with imidazolium units in the main chain

Arylenevinylene‐based π‐conjugated polymers containing imidazolium cationic units in the main chain and their model compounds were synthesized and characterized in terms of optical and electrochemical properties. 9,9‐Bisoctylfluorene, 2,5‐bisdodecyloxybenzene, and 3‐dodecylthiophene were introduced as arylene units with different donor characteristics to evaluate the effect on the highest occupied molecular orbital‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO‐LUMO) gap energy. The UV–vis and fluorescence spectra of cationic polymers and model compounds with iodide counter anion exhibited a significant blue shift with respect to the parent neutral molecules. X‐ray single crystal analysis for model compounds revealed that the effective π‐conjugation length of cationic model compounds decreased compared to the neutral model compounds by means of twisted conformation directed by CH‐π interactions between N‐methyl groups of imidazolium and neighboring aryl units. The cyclic voltammetry measurement suggested the negative shift of LUMO levels by the conversion of imidazole to imidazolium, indicating the electron‐accepting characteristics of cationic imidazolium unit. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of porphyrin‐embedded dendronized polymers by Suzuki polycondensation

Porphyrin‐embedded high molecular weight dendronized polymers up to fourth generation have been synthesized by Suzuki polycondensation of Fréchet‐type dendritic dibromo macromonomers and porphyrin diboronic pinacol ester. Higher generation lateral dendritic wedges not only endow the dendronized polymers with good solubility in commonly used organic solvents, but also prevent planar porphyrins and conjugated polymer backbones from aggregating by their “site isolation” effect. This type of porphyrin‐embedded dendronized polymers can be used as saturated red light‐emitting materials. With the increase of the generation of the lateral dendrons, the quantum yields of the dendronized polymers also gradually increased. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4030–4037, 2008     

Synthesis and FET characterization of novel ambipolar and low‐bandgap naphthalene‐diimide‐based semiconducting polymers

A novel series of naphthalene‐diimide‐based semiconducting polymers ( P1–P4 ) containing benzodithiophene or dithienopyrrole were successfully synthesized for ambipolar semiconducting materials showing near infrared absorptions. The incorporation of a 3‐hexylthiophene (3HT) spacer extended the intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) peak from λ_onset = 739 nm ( P1 ) to 785 nm ( P3 ). Moreover, about 250 nm red‐shift of the ICT peaks was observed in P2 and P4 compared to P1 and P3 due to the increased high‐lying HOMO energy levels. The grazing incidence X‐ray scattering of the P3 and P4 films proved the slightly improved crystalline order in the π?π stacking direction, indicating that the planar backbone is probably due to the introduced 3HT. The P1–P4 ‐based field‐effect transistor showed n‐type dominant ambipolar characteristics. The P2 and P4 showed higher electron mobilities up to 1.5 × 10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1 than P1 and P3 , which might be influenced by the orientation of the polymer backbone and the intermolecular orbital overlap. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 359–367     

Intracellular Delivery of Native Proteins Facilitated by Cell‐Penetrating Poly(disulfide)s

Intracellular delivery of therapeutic proteins is highly challenging and in most cases requires chemical or genetic modifications. Herein, two complementary approaches for endocytosis‐independent delivery of proteins to live mammalian cells are reported. By using either a “glycan” tag naturally derived from glycosylated proteins or a “traceless” tag that could reversibly label native lysines on non‐glycosylated proteins, followed by bioorthogonal conjugation with cell‐penetrating poly(disulfide)s (CPDs), we achieved intracellular delivery of proteins (including antibodies and enzymes) which, upon spontaneous degradation of CPDs, led to successful release of their “native” functional forms with immediate bioavailability.     

Radial tetra(ferrocenyl)- and tetra(cymantrenyl)cyclobutadienecobalt complexes: Synthesis and structures

Novel radial tetra(ferrocenyl)- and tetra(cymantrenyl)cyclobutadienecobalt complexes were prepared by metal carbonyls free protocol of [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,2-diferrocenyl- or 1,2-dicymantrenylethynes with chlorotris(triphenylphospine)cobalt(I) and carboethoxycyclopentadienide sodium with good yields. The molecular structure of these products was confirmed with X-ray analysis, and their electrochemical behavior was studied.     

Trimeric and Tetrameric Electron‐Deficient Porphyrin Tapes

New hybrid porphyrin tapes comprising meso‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl‐substituted Zn^II‐porphyrins ( D ) and meso‐pentafluorophenyl‐substituted Zn^II‐porphyrins ( A ) were synthesized via cross‐condensation of meso‐formyl porphyrins 1 , 5 , and 9 with oligopyrromethanes 2 and 6 as key steps. These hybrid tapes exhibit improved solubilities and enhanced chemical stability as compared with original Dn porphyrin tapes, and all display remarkably coplanar structures favorable for π‐conjugation. The absorption spectrum of ADDA displays Q‐like bands at 1400 and 1657 nm with a vibronic structure characteristic of porphyrinoids. The cyclic voltammograms exhibited positively shifted oxidation and reduction waves in the order of DDD < DAD < ADA < AAA . Tetrameric tape ADDA displays five reversible waves in a narrow range of 1.13 V. Two‐photon absorption (TPA) measurement confirmed that the π‐conjugation path is extended from 12 to ADDA and the molecular polarizability of ADA is larger than that of AAA .