Thermodynamic properties of pyridine-containing polyphenylene dendrimers of the first-fourth generations

The temperature dependence of the heat capacity C _p° = f(T) of hard pyridine-containing polyphenylene dendrimers of the first, third, and fourth generations was studied for the first time in an adiabatic calorimeter at 6–300 K. Using the experimental data obtained, the standard thermodynamic functions, viz., heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs energy in the range from T → 0 to 300 K, were calculated for these dendrimers and the value of standard entropy of formation of the studied compounds at T = 298.15 K was estimated. The low-temperature heat capacity of the dendrimers was analyzed on the basis of the Tarasov and Debye theories of heat capacity of solids and by the multifractal method. The characteristic temperatures and fractal dimensionality D were determined, and some conclusions about the type of structure topology were drawn. The isotherms of the dependence of thermodynamic functions of the dendrimers on the molecular weight were obtained.     

Single-component films of different generations of dendrimers bearing a diphenylanthracene core

Different generations of carboxyl-terminated poly(aryl ether) dendrimers bearing a diphenylanthracene core were designed and synthesized. It is interesting to see that not only two-generation dendrimers but also one-generation dendrimers can be fabricated into thin films by self-deposition. Fluorescence spectra indicate that increasing the generation number of a dendrimer can effectively control the quenching of the fluorescence. Moreover, the fluorescence property of the diphenylanthracene core of the dendrimers in a solid film is quite similar to that of one in a solution, which is important for designing light-emitting materials.     

Synthesis and properties of fluorinated derivatives of carbosilane dendrimers of high generations

Fluorinated derivatives containing different amounts of fluorocarbon groups in the surface layer of the molecular structure have been synthesized by the chemical modification of a polyallylcarbosilane dendrimer of the sixth generation via hydrosilylation and heterofunctional condensation procedures. The fluorocontaining dendrimers are well soluble in organic solvents and supercritical CO₂. Their properties have been studied by DSC, viscometry, dynamic light scattering, and atomic force microscopy.     

Self-assembly of interlocked supramolecular dendrimers

Interlocked supramolecular dendrimers were spontaneously self-assembled from molecular components, metallocycles, and dumbbells bearing benzyl ether repeating units. Here, the metallocycles were in situ self-assembled from L-shaped ligands with dendritic branches, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and osmium tetraoxide. The supramolecular dendrimers were stabilized by hydrogen-bonding interactions between the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide unit in the metallocycle and the adipamide unit in the dumbbell.     

Novel phenylazomethine dendrimers: synthesis and structural properties

The novel dendrimers consisting of a pi-conjugated backbone, the dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPAs), were synthesized by the convergent method via the dehydration of aromatic ketones with aromatic amines in the presence of titanium(IV) tetrachloride. The obtained DPAs have a high solubility unlike the conventional linear polyphenylazomethines. NMR studies revealed the conformational rigidity of DPA G4. DPAs having many azomethine groups as the coordination site for metal ions are expected to be novel ligands.     

Expanding the structural diversity of self-assembling dendrons and supramolecular dendrimers via complex building blocks

The design and synthesis of the first examples of AB4 and AB5 dendritic building blocks with complex architecture are reported. Structural and retrostructural analysis of supramolecular dendrimers self-assembled from hybrid dendrons based on different combinations of AB4 and AB5 building blocks with AB2 and AB3 benzyl ether dendrons demonstrated that none of these new hybrid dendrons exhibit the previously encountered conformations of libraries of benzyl ether dendrons. These hybrid dendrons enabled the discovery of some highly unusual tapered and conical dendrons generated by the intramolecular back-folding of their repeat units and of their apex. The new back-folded tapered dendrons have double thickness and self-assemble into pine-tree-like columns exhibiting a long-range 7/2 helical order. The back-folded conical dendrons self-assemble into spherical dendrimers. Non-back-folded truncated conical dendrons were also discovered. They self-assemble into spherical dendrimers with a less densely packed center. The discovery of dendrons displaying a novel crown-like conformation is also reported. Crown-like dendrons self-assemble into long-range 5/1 helical pyramidal columns. The long-range 7/2 and 5/1 helical structures were established by applying, for the first time, the helical diffraction theory to the analysis of X-ray patterns obtained from oriented fibers of supramolecular dendrimers.     

Molecular structure of helical supramolecular dendrimers

The molecular structure of helical supramolecular dendrimers generated from self-assembling dendrons and dendrimers and from self-organizable dendronized polymers was elucidated for the first time by the simulation of the X-ray diffraction patterns of their oriented fibers. These simulations were based on helical diffraction theory applied to simplified atomic helical models, followed by Cerius2 calculations based on their complete molecular helical structures. Hundreds of samples were screened until a library containing 14 supramolecular dendrimers and dendronized polymers provided a sufficient number of helical features in the X-ray diffraction pattern of their oriented fibers. This combination of techniques provided examples of single-9(2) and -11(3) helices, triple-6(1), -8(1), -9(1), and -12(1) helices, and an octa-32(1) helix that were assembled from crownlike dendrimers, hollow and nonhollow supramolecular crownlike dendrimers, hollow and nonhollow supramolecular disklike dendrimers, and hollow and nonhollow supramolecular and macromolecular helicene-like architectures. The method elaborated here for the determination of the molecular helix structure was transplanted from the field of structural biology and will be applicable to other classes of synthetic helical assemblies. The determination of the molecular structure of helical supramolecular assemblies is expected to provide an additional level of precision in the design of helical functional assemblies resembling those from biological systems.     

Photostability and skin penetration of different E-resveratrol-loaded supramolecular structures

It is desirable and challenging to prevent E-resveratrol (E-RSV) from photoisomerizing to its Z-configuration to preserve its biological and pharmacological activities. The aim of this research was to evaluate the photostability of E-RSV-loaded supramolecular structures and the skin penetration profile of chemically and physically stable nanoestructured formulations. Different supramolecular structures were developed to act as carriers for E-RSV, that is, liposomes, polymeric lipid-core nanocapsules and nanospheres and solid lipid nanoparticles. The degrees of photostability of these formulations were compared with that of an ethanolic solution of E-RSV. The skin penetration profiles of the stable formulations were obtained using vertical diffusion cells (protected from light and under UVA radiation) with porcine skin as the membrane, followed by tape stripping and separation of the viable epidermis and dermis in a heated water bath. Photoisomerization was significantly delayed by the association of resveratrol with the nanocarriers independently of the supramolecular structure. Liposomes were the particles capable of maintaining E-RSV concentration for the longest time. On the other hand, E-RSV-loaded liposomes reduced in size showing low physical stability under UVA radiation. In the dark, the skin penetration profiles were very similar, but under UVA radiation the E-RSV-loaded nanocarriers showed increasing amounts in the total epidermis.     

Two nickel(II) carboxyphosphonates with different supramolecular structures: synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic properties

Transition Metal Chemistry - Two Ni(II) carboxyphosphonates, namely [Ni(H4L)2] (1) and [Ni(H3L)(H2O)]·2H2O (2) (H5L=HOOCC6H4CH2N(CH2PO3H2)2), have been hydrothermally synthesized. Structural...     

Thermodynamic properties of carbosilane dendrimers of the third and sixth generations with ethyleneoxide terminal groups

The temperature dependences of the heat capacities of carbosilane dendrimers of the third and sixth generations with ethyleneoxide terminal groups are examined for the first time by means of precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry at temperatures between 6.5 and 350 K. In this temperature range, physical transformations are observed and their standard thermodynamic characteristics are determined and discussed. The standard thermodynamic functions are calculated per nominal mole of a chosen unit using the obtained experimental data: C° _p (T), H°(T) - H°(0), S°(T) - S°(0), and G°(T) - H°(0) in the interval T → 0 to 350 K, and the standard entropies of formation at T = 298.15 K. The low-temperature (T ≤ 50 K) heat capacity is analyzed using the Debye theory of specific heat and a multifractal model. The values of fractal dimension D are also determined, and conclusions on the investigated structures’ topology are drawn. The corresponding thermodynamic properties of the studied dendrimers are compared as well.     

Starlike dendrimers in solutions: structural properties and internal dynamics

We measured the shape and the internal dynamics of starlike dendrimers under good solvent conditions with small-angle neutron scattering and neutron spin-echo (NSE) spectroscopy, respectively. Architectural parameters such as the spacer length and generation were varied in a systematic manner. Structural changes occurring in the dendrimers as a function of these parameters are discussed, i.e., in terms of the fractal dimension and deviations of the radius of gyration from the Gaussian value. A first cumulant evaluation of the NSE spectra for each scattering vector q separately yields the length scale dependent relaxation rates. We observe a local minimum in the normalized relaxation rates Omega(q)q(3) on length scales corresponding to the overall dendrimer dimension. The dynamics is discussed within a Rouse-Zimm approach generalized to the case of starlike dendrimers of arbitrary geometry. The model allows an identification of the modes contributing to the relaxation of the dendrimer in the q and time range of the NSE experiment. The local minimum is due to collective breathing motions of (parts of) the dendrons relative to each other. Shape fluctuations are not observed.     

Thermodynamic properties of the first to fifth generations of carbosilane dendrimers with allyl terminal groups

Temperature dependences of the specific heats, characteristic temperatures, and enthalpies of physical transformations of the first to fifth generations of carbosilane dendrimers with allyl terminal groups were studied using an adiabatic vacuum calorimeter in the temperature range 6—340 K. The error of measurements was, as a rule, about 0.2%. Thermodynamic characteristics of physical transformations of the dendrimers were determined and their thermodynamic functions C _p°(T), H°(T)—H°(0), S°(T)—S°(0), and G°(T)—H°(0) were calculated for the temperature range 0—340 K. The thermodynamic functions of the dendrimers are linearly related to their molecular weights, the number of allyl groups on their outer spheres, and the number of moles of diallylmethylsilane per mole of the dendrimers formed. Additive dependence of the properties of the dendrimers on their chemical composition and structure indicates that the energy of interaction between structural fragments of the dendrimers is independent of the dendrimer generation number. The fractal dimensions, D, of all dendrimers studied in this work are 1.2—1.3 in the temperature range 30—50 K, thus indicating a chain-layered structure of the dendrimer glasses.     

Formation and manipulation of supramolecular structures of oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) terminated poly(propylene imine) dendrimers

A third generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimer modified with pi-conjugated oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s forms spherical and rod-like aggregates that can be manipulated by optical tweezers.     

Solvent-tuned polyoxometalate-based supramolecular hybrids constructed from different metal-organic motifs: Various structures and adsorption properties for dyes

Three polyoxometalate-based supramolecular hybrids with different metal-organic motifs have been synthesized by tuning the solvents, which show various adsorption activities for different organic dyes.     

Characterization, supramolecular assembly, and nanostructures of thiophene dendrimers

We report the synthesis and characterization of dendritic thiophene derivatives with their unique supramolecular assembly into 2-D crystals, nanowires, and nanoparticle aggregates. The structure and size of the dendrons and dendrimers have been confirmed with various techniques, such as NMR, SEC, and MALDI-TOF-MS. The mass values were consistent with the mass observed by MALDI-TOF-MS, whereas SEC measurements also gave useful information on the hydrodynamic volume of the individual dendrimers. The interesting electrooptical properties were highlighted by very broad absorption spectra and narrower fluorescence consistent with their electrochemical behavior. The self-organization of the dendrimers on the solid substrate is dependent on the nature of the substrate, preparation methods, and the molecule-molecule and molecule-substrate interactions. Thus, 14T-1 and 30T both formed globular aggregates on mica surface, while 14T-1 also formed nanowires on graphite surface. On the other hand, the larger 30T was observed to form 2-D crystalline structures. By varying the alkyl chain length attached to 14T-1, we were also able to obtain 2-D crystals on graphite. This showed that the different symmetry of packing for 30T and 14T-1 is also dependent on several factors, such as the molecular shape, size, and the presence of noncovalent intermolecular interactions. The results demonstrated the unique ability of thiophene dendrimers to form nanostructures on surfaces.     

Effects of structural modification on gene transfection and self-assembling properties of amphiphilic dendrimers

A library of novel amphiphilic, self-assembling dendrimers was designed and synthesised to evaluate the effects of structural changes on transfection efficiency.     

A series of new supramolecular structures constructed from triethylenediamine and different polyoxometalates

Three new supramolecular compounds based on triethylenediamine and different polyoxometalates [W^VI₃V^V₃O₁₉H]{[Cu(HDABCO)]₂(H₂O)} (1), [P₂Mo^VI₁₈O₆₂][HDABCO]₂[H₂DABCO]₂·12 H₂O (2) and [Mo^VI_7.5W^VI_0.5O₂₇][Cu(HDABCO)]₂·2 H₃O·2 H₂O (3) (DABCO=triethylenediamine) have been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by IR, TG, XPS and X-ray diffraction analyses. Crystal structure analyses reveal that compound 1 exhibits a face-centered cubic packing motif, compound 2 displays a supramolecular structure constructed form the “chains” arranged hexagonally, compound 3 contains [Mo_7.5W_0.5O₂₇]_∞ chain decorated by [Cu(HDABCO)]²⁺ cations, which was then packed into a layer structure. These results show that the same organonitrogen combining with the different POMs will yield different supramolecular networks.