Synthesis,Characterisation and Crystal Structures of Two Bi‐oxadiazole Derivatives Featuring the Trifluoromethyl Group

The synthesis, characterisation, and crystal structure determination of the closely related compounds 3,3′‐bi‐(5‐trifluoromethyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole) and 5,5′‐bi‐(2‐ trifluoromethyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole) are reported. These two compounds are known for their bioactivity; however, in this study they serve as model compounds to evaluate the suitability of the heterocyclic oxadiazole ring system for energetic materials when the fluorine atoms in the exocyclic CF₃ groups are substituted successively by nitro groups. Quantum chemical calculations for the bi‐1,3,4‐ oxadiazole derivatives with difluoronitromethyl, fluorodinitromethyl, and trinitromethyl groups have been carried out and predict promising energetic performances for both explosive and propulsive applications.     

The Helix to Super‐Helix Transition in the Self‐Assembly of π‐Systems: Superseding of Molecular Chirality at Hierarchical Level

Higher‐order super‐helical structures derived from biological molecules are known to evolve through opposite coiling of the initial helical fibers, as seen in collagen protein. A similar phenomenon is observed in a π‐system self‐assembly of chiral oligo(phenyleneethylene) derivatives (S )‐ 1 and (R )‐ 1 that explains the unequal formation of both left‐ and right‐handed helices from molecule having a specific chiral center. Concentration‐ and temperature‐dependent circular dichroism (CD) and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies revealed that the initial formation of helical aggregates is in accordance with the molecular chirality. At the next level of hierarchical self‐assembly, coiling of the fibers occurs with opposite handedness, thereby superseding the command of the molecular chirality. This was confirmed by solvent‐dependent decoiling of super‐helical structures and concentration‐dependent morphological analysis.     

A new series of liquid‐crystalline bi‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

Symmetrical bi‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives, namely 5,5′‐bis(phenyl 4‐alkoxybenzoate)‐2,2′‐bi‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (BBOXD‐n, n = 6, 10, 14, 16), were synthesised. All BBOXD‐n exhibited remarkably stable SmC phases by virtue of the high transition enthalpies of SmC–I. In addition, BBOXD‐6 and BBOXD‐10 showed an enantiotropic nemetic phase with enthalpies of the N–I transition up to 5.16 kJ mol^?1. As confirmed by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction analysis and MM2, molecules of BBOXD‐n showed high‐angle tilting (55–57°) within their smectic C phases.     

Helical Nano‐crystallite (HNC) Phases: Chirality Synchronization of Achiral Bent‐Core Mesogens in a New Type of Dark Conglomerates

Spontaneous generation of macroscopic homochirality in soft matter systems by self‐assembly of exclusively achiral molecules under achiral conditions is a challenging task with relevance for fundamental scientific research and technological applications. Dark conglomerate phases (DC phases), being optically isotropic mesophases composed of conglomerates of macroscopic chiral domains and formed by some non‐chiral bent‐core mesogens, represent such a case. Here we report two new series of non‐symmetric bent‐core molecules capable of forming a new type of mirror symmetry broken DC phases. In the synthesized molecules, a bent 4‐bromoresorcinol core is connected to a phenyl benzoate wing and an azobenzene wing with or without additional peripheral fluorine substitution. The self‐assembly was investigated by DSC, polarizing microscopy, electro‐optical studies and XRD. Chiral and apparently achiral DC phases were observed besides distinct types of lamellar liquid crystalline phases with different degree of polar order, allowing the investigation of the transition from smectic to DC phases. This indicates a process in which increased packing density at first gives rise to restricted rotation and thus to growing polar order, which then leads to chirality synchronization, layer frustration and nano‐scale crystallization. Topological constraints arising from the twisted packing of helical conformers in lamellar crystals is proposed to lead to amorphous solids composed of helical nano‐crystallites with short coherence length (HNC phases). This is considered as a third major type of DC phases, distinct from the previously known liquid crystalline sponge phases and the helical nano‐filament phases (HNF phases). Guidelines for the molecular design of new materials capable of self‐assembly into these three types of DC phases are proposed.     

Effect of Atomic‐Scale Differences on the Self‐Assembly of Thiophene‐based Polycatenars in Liquid Crystalline and Organogel States

Two series of polycatenars are reported that contain a central thiophene moiety connected to two substituted oxadiazole or thiadiazole units. The number, position, and length of the peripheral chains connected to these molecules were varied. The oxadiazole‐based polycatenars exhibited columnar phases with rectangular and hexagonal or oblique symmetry, whereas the thiadiazole‐based polycatenars exhibited columnar phases with rectangular and/or hexagonal symmetry. All of the compounds exhibited bright emission in the solution and thin‐film states. Two oxadiazole‐based molecules and one thiadiazole‐based molecule exhibited supergelation ability in hydrocarbon solvents, which is mainly supported by attractive π–π interactions. These gels showed aggregation‐induced enhanced emission, which is of high technological importance for applications in solid‐state emissive displays. X‐ray diffraction studies of the xerogel fibers of oxadiazole‐based polycatenars revealed a columnar rectangular organization, whereas a hexagonal columnar arrangement was observed for thiadiazole‐based polycatenars. Rheological measurements carried out on the samples quantitatively confirmed the formation of gels and showed that these gels are mechanically robust. The impact of an atomic‐scale difference (oxygen to sulfur, <2 % of the molecular weight) on the self‐assembly and the macroscopic properties of those self‐assembled structures are clearly visualized.     

New synthesis of highly potential efficient bluish‐green electroluminescent materials based on 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–triazolopyridinone–carbazole derivatives for single‐layer devices

New potential bluish‐green electroluminescent materials of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–triazolopyridin‐ one–carbazole derivatives were synthesized and characterized for single‐layer devices. Carbazole, pyridine, and triazolopyridinone were completely introduced into 1,3,4‐oxadiazole skeletal to play assistant roles in controlling fundamental photolytic process due to the electron‐donating nature, excellent photoconductivity, and flexible structure properties. Following the spectroscopic studies and the measurements of cyclic voltammogram, 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–triazolopyridinone–carbazole derivatives were highly efficient bluish‐green electroluminescent materials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:160–165, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20201     

A Columnar Liquid‐Crystal Phase Formed by Hydrogen‐Bonded Perylene Bisimide J‐Aggregates

A new perylene bisimide (PBI) dye self‐assembles through hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions into J‐aggregates that in turn self‐organize into liquid‐crystalline (LC) columnar hexagonal domains. The PBI cores are organized with the transition dipole moments parallel to the columnar axis, which is an unprecedented structural organization in π‐conjugated columnar liquid crystals. Middle and wide‐angle X‐ray analyses reveal a helical structure consisting of three self‐assembled hydrogen‐bonded PBI strands that constitute a single column of the columnar hexagonal phase. This remarkable assembly mode for columnar liquid crystals may afford new anisotropic LC materials for applications in photonics.     

Synthesis,liquid crystalline properties and fluorescence of polycatenar 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives

A series of hexacatenar liquid crystals containing the 1,3,4‐oxadiazole group as rigid core, i.e. 1,4‐bis[(3,4,5‐trialkoxyphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazolyl]‐ benzene (P‐P‐oxd‐n), were designed and synthesised. Based on a detailed study of their thermotropic phase behaviour and mesophase structures, it was revealed that columnar phases are generated in these materials. Furthermore, combination of experimental and calculated results enabled a proposal for the molecular packing in the mesophase. The photoluminescent properties of these materials were examined using P‐P‐oxd‐8 as an example. A strong blue light emission (λ_max = 456 nm) was observed in P‐P‐oxd‐8 and a higher quantum yield was obtained in dilute chloroform solution.     

New blue electroluminescent n‐type polyfluorene copolymers with a 1,3,4‐oxadiazole unit in the main chain

Novel polyfluorene copolymers alternately having an 1,3,4‐oxadiazole unit in the main chain were prepared by both one‐step and two‐step methods for polyoxadiazole synthesis. They displayed highly efficient blue photoluminescence, the properties of which were affected by the extent of conjugation and the changes in the electron density by a side chain. An electrochemical analysis of the polymers using cyclic voltammetry suggested that they could be used as electron‐transport/hole‐blocking materials as well as blue emission materials for polymer light‐emitting diodes. A simple double‐layer device consisting of poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) as a hole‐transport layer and poly[(9,9′‐didodecylfluorene‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐((1,4‐bis(1,3,4‐oxadiazole)‐2,5‐di(2‐ethylhexyloxy)phenylene)‐5,5′‐diyl)] as an emission layer exhibited narrow blue electroluminescence with a maximum at 430 nm. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1058–1068, 2004     

3,4‐Bis(bromomethyl)thieno[2,3‐b]thiophene: Versatile Precursors for Novel Bis(triazolothiadiazines), Bis(quinoxalines), Bis(dihydrooxadiazoles), and Bis(dihydrothiadiazoles)

A synthesis of novel bis(triazolothiadiazines) 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , bis(quinoxalines) 16 and 17 , bis(thiadiazoles) 24 and 25 , and bis(oxadiazole) 31 , which are linked to the thieno[2,3‐b]thiophene core via phenoxymethyl group, was reported. Thus, reaction of the bis(α‐bromoketones) 6 and 7 with the corresponding 4‐amino‐3‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives 8 , 9 , 10 in ethanol–DMF mixture in the presence of a few drops of triethylamine as a catalyst under reflux afforded the novel bis(5,6‐dihydro‐s‐triazolo[3,4‐b]thiadiazines) 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 in 60–72% yields. The bis(quinoxalines) 16 and 17 were also synthesized as a sole product in high yields by the reaction of 6 and 7 with o‐phenylenediamine 15 in refluxing acetonitrile in the presence of piperidine as a catalyst. Cyclization of the bis(aldehyde thiosemicarbazones) 20 and 21 with acetic anhydride afforded the corresponding bis(4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazolyl) derivatives 24 and 25 in good yield. Bis(5‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole) derivative 31 could be obtained in 67% yield by cyclization of the appropriate bis(N‐phenylhydrazone) 29 in refluxing acetic anhydride for 3 h.     

Role of Achiral Nucleobases in Multicomponent Chiral Self‐Assembly: Purine‐Triggered Helix and Chirality Transfer

Chiral self‐assembly is a basic process in biological systems, where many chiral biomolecules such as amino acids and sugars play important roles. Achiral nucleobases usually covalently bond to saccharides and play a significant role in the formation of the double helix structure. However, it remains unclear how the achiral nucleobases can function in chiral self‐assembly without the sugar modification. Herein, we have clarified that purine nucleobases could trigger N‐(9‐fluorenylmethox‐ycarbonyl) (Fmoc)‐protected glutamic acid to self‐assemble into helical nanostructures. Moreover, the helical nanostructure could serve as a matrix and transfer the chirality to an achiral fluorescence probe, thioflavin T (ThT). Upon chirality transfer, the ThT showed not only supramolecular chirality but also circular polarized fluorescence (CPL). Without the nucleobase, the self‐assembly processes cannot happen, thus providing an example where achiral molecules played an essential role in the expression and transfer of the chirality.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Ibuprofen‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐1,2,3‐triazole Hybrids

A new hybrid polydentate template comprising distinctive pharmacophoric groups, namely, ibuprofen, 1,3,4‐oxadiazole, and 1,2,3‐triazole linked through a thioether bridge was achieved by one‐pot synthesis by exploring multicomponent Cu‐catalyzed “click chemistry” approach. The target structures were characterized by NMR, IR, and LC‐Mass. The X‐ray analysis of 2‐(1‐(4‐isobutylphenyl)ethyl)‐5‐(((1‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)thio)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( 8a ) confirmed the assigned structure. The in vitro antibacterial and anticancer activity of these compounds revealed that 2‐(1‐(4‐isobutylphenyl)ethyl)‐5‐(((1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)thio)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( 8b ) demonstrated more potent antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative strains (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and 2‐(((1‐(2,4‐dimethylphenyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)thio)‐5‐(1‐(4 isobutylphenyl)ethyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( 8e ) exhibited anticancer activity with IC₅₀ of 27.50 and 31.03 μg/mL against HeLa and MCF‐7 cell lines, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of new electroluminescent materials of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–1,2,3‐triazole hybrids and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–1,2,3‐triazole–pyridine derivatives

New electroluminescent materials of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–1,2,3‐triazole and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–1,2,3‐triazole–pyridine hybrid derivatives were synthesized and characterized. Following spectroscopic studies and characterization of their electronic properties, 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–1,2,3‐triazole hybrids and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole–1,2,3‐triazole–pyridine derivatives were found to be potentially efficient blue electroluminescent materials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:322–328, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20210     

The First Synthesis of Furoxan and 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Ring Ensembles

Previously unknown furoxan and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole ring ensembles incorporating two, three, and five furoxan and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole rings in different combinations were for the first time synthesized from accessible azides and hydrazides of furoxancarboxylic acids. An interdependence of furoxan and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole rings on their geometric parameters was revealed by the X‐ray diffraction method.     

Hierarchical Self‐Assembly in Liquid‐Crystalline Block Copolymers Enabled by Chirality Transfer

Helical topological structures are often found in chiral biological systems, but seldom in synthesized polymers. Now, controllable microphase separation of amphiphilic liquid‐crystalline block copolymers (LCBCs) consisting of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) and hydrophobic azobenzene‐containing poly(methylacrylate) is combined with chirality transfer to fabricate helical nanostructures by doping with chiral additives (enantiopure tartaric acid). Through hydrogen‐bonding interactions, chirality is transferred from the dopant to the aggregation, which directs the hierarchical self‐assembly in the composite system. Upon optimized annealing condition, helical structures in film are fabricated by the induced aggregation chirality. The photoresponsive azobenzene mesogens in the LCBC assist photoregulation of the self‐assembled helical morphologies. This allows the construction and non‐contact manipulation of complicated nanostructures.     

Peculiar Triarylamine‐Based Co‐assembled Supramolecular Polymers That Exhibit Two Transition Temperatures in the Formation of a Coiled Helical Bundle

This paper describes the peculiar co‐assembly supramolecular polymerization behavior of triphenylamine trisamide derivatives with d ‐alanine ( T‐ala ) or glycine ( T‐gly ) moieties. Concentration and temperature‐dependent circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed that the heating curves of co‐assemblies obtained at various molar ratios of T‐ala to T‐gly exhibited two distinct transition temperatures. The first transition was due to the transformation from coiled helical bundles to single helical fibers without handedness. The second was due to a change from typical elongation to nucleation. These phenomena were confirmed by solvent‐dependent decoiling of coiled helical structures and concentration‐dependent morphological analysis. The two transitioning temperatures were dependent on the concentration of T‐ala in the co‐assemblies, suggesting that T‐ala concentration plays an important role in the formation of coiled helical bundles. Our study demonstrated the first observation of two distinct transition temperatures in supramolecular polymers.     

Coordination‐directed one‐dimensional coordination polymers generated from a new oxadiazole bridging ligand and HgX2 (X = Cl,Br and I)

A new 1,3,4‐oxadiazole bridging bent organic ligand, 2,5‐bis{5‐methyl‐2‐[(4‐pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole, C₂₈H₂₄N₄O₃, L, has been used to create three novel one‐dimensional isomorphic coordination polymers, viz. catena‐poly[[[dichloridomercury(II)]‐μ‐2,5‐bis{5‐methyl‐2‐[(4‐pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole] methanol monosolvate], {[HgCl₂(C₂₈H₂₄N₄O₃)]·CH₃OH}_n, catena‐poly[[[dibromidomercury(II)]‐μ‐2,5‐bis{5‐methyl‐2‐[(4‐pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole] methanol monosolvate], {[HgBr₂(C₂₈H₂₄N₄O₃)]·CH₃OH}_n, and catena‐poly[[[diiodidomercury(II)]‐μ‐2,5‐bis{5‐methyl‐2‐[(4‐pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole] methanol monosolvate], {[HgI₂(C₂₈H₂₄N₄O₃)]·CH₃OH}_n. The free L ligand itself adopts a cis conformation, with the two terminal pyridine rings and the central oxadiazole ring almost coplanar [dihedral angles = 5.994 (7) and 9.560 (6)°]. In the Hg^II complexes, however, one of the flexible pyridylmethyl arms of ligand L is markedly bent and helical chains are obtained. The Hg^II atom lies in a distorted tetrahedral geometry defined by two pyridine N‐atom donors from two L ligands and two halide ligands. The helical chains stack together via interchain π–π interactions that expand the dimensionality of the structure from one to two. The methanol solvent molecules link to the complex polymers through O—H...N and O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis of New 1,2,4‐ and 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Derivatives as Potential Nonpeptide Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists

The synthesis of new 1,2,4‐ and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives as potential nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists is described. The quinoxalinone systems used as the “northern moiety” in these compounds were alkylated through a liquid/liquid phase‐transfer catalysis protocol, with good yields and high nitrogen‐ to oxygen‐alkylated product (N/O) ratios.     

Entropically Favoured Assembly of Pyrazine‐Based Helical Fibers into Superstructures: Achiral/ Chiral Guest‐Induced Chirality Transformation

The development of synthetic helical structures undergoing stimuli‐responsive chirality transformations is important for an understanding of the role of chirality in natural systems. However, controlling supramolecular chirality in entropically driven assemblies in aqueous media is challenging. To develop stimuli‐responsive assemblies, we designed and synthesized pyrazine derivatives with l ‐alanine groups as chiral building blocks. These systems undergo self‐assembly in aqueous media to generate helical fibers and the embedded alanine groups transfer their chirality to the assembled structures. Furthermore, these helical fibers undergo a Ni²⁺‐induced chirality transformation. The study demonstrates the role of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, and the hydrophobic effect in the Ni²⁺‐mediated transition of helical fibers to supercoiled helical ensembles which mimic the formation of superstructures in biopolymers.     

Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of luminescent poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) derivatives containing electron‐transporting 1,3,4‐oxadiazole groups

Three random copolymers ( P1–P3 ) comprising phenylenevinylene and electron‐transporting aromatic 1,3,4‐oxadiazole segments (11, 18, 28 mol %, respectively) were prepared by Gilch polymerization to investigate the influence of oxadiazole content on their photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties. For comparative study, homopolymer poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐1,4‐p‐phenylenevinylene] ( P0 ) was also prepared by the same process. The polymers ( P0–P3 ) are soluble in common organic solvents and thermally stable up to 410 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Their optical properties were investigated by absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The optical results reveal that the aromatic 1,3,4‐oxadiazole chromophores in P1–P3 suppress the intermolecular interactions. The HOMO and LUMO levels of these polymers were estimated from their cyclic voltammograms. The HOMO levels of P0–P3 are very similar (?5.02 to ?5.03 eV), whereas their LUMO levels decrease readily with increasing oxadiazole content (?2.7, ?3.08, ?3.11, and ?3.19 eV, respectively). Therefore, the electron affinity of the poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) chain can be gradually enhanced by incorporating 1,3,4‐oxadiazole segments. Among the polymers, P1 (11 mol % 1,3,4‐oxadiazole) shows the best EL performance (maximal luminance: 3490 cd/m², maximal current efficiency: 0.1 cd/A). Further increase in oxadiazole content results in micro‐phase separation that leads to performance deterioration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4377–4388, 2007