Photocontrolled On‐Surface Pseudorotaxane Formation with Well‐Ordered Macrocycle Multilayers

The photoinduced pseudorotaxane formation between a photoresponsive axle and a tetralactam macrocycle was investigated in solution and on glass surfaces with immobilized multilayers of macrocycles. In the course of this reaction, a novel photoswitchable binding station with azobenzene as the photoswitchable unit and diketopiperazine as the binding station was synthesized and studied by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Glass surfaces have been functionalized with pyridine‐terminated SAMs and subsequently with multilayers of macrocycles through layer‐by‐layer self assembly. A preferred orientation of the macrocycles could be confirmed by NEXAFS spectroscopy. The photocontrolled deposition of the axle into the surface‐bound macrocycle‐multilayers was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy and led to an increase of the molecular order, as indicated by more substantial linear dichroism effects in angle‐resolved NEXAFS spectra.     

Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Poly‐Pseudorotaxanes into Artificial Microtubules

Hierarchical self‐assembly of building blocks over multiple length scales is ubiquitous in living organisms. Microtubules are one of the principal cellular components formed by hierarchical self‐assembly of nanometer‐sized tubulin heterodimers into protofilaments, which then associate to form micron‐length‐scale, multi‐stranded tubes. This peculiar biological process is now mimicked with a fully synthetic molecule, which forms a 1:1 host‐guest complex with cucurbit[7]uril as a globular building block, and then polymerizes into linear poly‐pseudorotaxanes that associate laterally with each other in a self‐shape‐complementary manner to form a tubular structure with a length over tens of micrometers. Molecular dynamic simulations suggest that the tubular assembly consists of eight poly‐pseudorotaxanes that wind together to form a 4.5 nm wide multi‐stranded tubule.     

A Single‐Molecule‐Level Mechanistic Study of Pd‐Catalyzed and Cu‐Catalyzed Homocoupling of Aryl Bromide on an Au(111) Surface

On‐surface Pd‐ and Cu‐catalyzed C?C coupling reactions between phenyl bromide functionalized porphyrin derivatives on an Au(111) surface have been investigated under ultra‐high vacuum conditions by using scanning tunneling microscopy and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. We monitored the isothermal reaction kinetics by allowing the reaction to proceed at different temperatures. We discovered that the reactions catalyzed by Pd or Cu can be described as a two‐phase process that involves an initial activation followed by C?C bond formation. However, the distinctive reaction kinetics and the C?C bond‐formation yield associated with the two catalysts account for the different reaction mechanisms: the initial activation phase is the rate‐limiting step for the Cu‐catalyzed reaction at all temperatures tested, whereas the later phase of C?C formation is the rate‐limiting step for the Pd‐catalyzed reaction at high temperature. Analysis of rate constants of the Pd‐catalyzed reactions allowed us to determine its activation energy as (0.41±0.03) eV.     

3,4,9,10‐Perylenetetracarboxylic Acid/Hemin Nanocomposites Act as Redox Probes and Electrocatalysts for Constructing a Pseudobienzyme‐Channeling Amplified Electrochemical Aptasensor

A simple wet‐chemical strategy for the synthesis of 3,4,9,10‐perylenetetracarboxylic acid (PTCA)/hemin nanocomposites through π–π interactions is demonstrated. Significantly, the hemin successfully conciliates PTCA redox activity with a pair of well‐defined redox peaks and intrinsic peroxidase‐like activity, which provides potential application of the PTCA self‐derived redox activity as redox probes. Additionally, PTCA/hemin nanocomposites exhibit a good membrane‐forming property, which not only avoids the conventional fussy process for redox probe immobilization, but also reduces the participation of the membrane materials that act as a barrier of electron transfer. On the basis of these unique properties, a pseudobienzyme‐channeling amplified electrochemical aptasensor is developed that is coupled with glucose oxidase (GOx) for thrombin detection by using PTCA/hemin nanocomposites as redox probes and electrocatalysts. With the addition of glucose to the electrolytic cell, the GOx on the aptasensor surface bioelectrocatalyzed the reduction of glucose to produce H₂O₂, which in turn was electrocatalyzed by the PTCA/hemin nanocomposites. Cascade schemes, in which an enzyme is catalytically linked to another enzyme, can produce signal amplification and therefore increase the biosensor sensitivity. As a result, a linear relationship for thrombin from 0.005 to 20 nM and a detection limit of 0.001 nM were obtained.     

Self‐Assembly of DNA–Oligo(p‐phenylene‐ethynylene) Hybrid Amphiphiles into Surface‐Engineered Vesicles with Enhanced Emission

Surface‐addressable nanostructures of linearly π‐conjugated molecules play a crucial role in the emerging field of nanoelectronics. Herein, by using DNA as the hydrophilic segment, we demonstrate a solid‐phase “click” chemistry approach for the synthesis of a series of DNA–chromophore hybrid amphiphiles and report their reversible self‐assembly into surface‐engineered vesicles with enhanced emission. DNA‐directed surface addressability of the vesicles was demonstrated through the integration of gold nanoparticles onto the surface of the vesicles by sequence‐specific DNA hybridization. This system could be converted to a supramolecular light‐harvesting antenna by integrating suitable FRET acceptors onto the surface of the nanostructures. The general nature of the synthesis, surface addressability, and biocompatibility of the resulting nanostructures offer great promises for nanoelectronics, energy, and biomedical applications.     

On‐Surface Synthesis of Cumulene‐Containing Polymers via Two‐Step Dehalogenative Homocoupling of Dibromomethylene‐Functionalized Tribenzoazulene

Cumulene compounds are notoriously difficult to prepare and study because their reactivity increases dramatically with the increasing number of consecutive double bonds. In this respect, the emerging field of on‐surface synthesis provides exceptional opportunities because it relies on reactions on clean metal substrates under well‐controlled ultrahigh‐vacuum conditions. Here we report the on‐surface synthesis of a polymer linked by cumulene‐like bonds on a Au(111) surface via sequential thermally activated dehalogenative C?C coupling of a tribenzoazulene precursor equipped with two dibromomethylene groups. The structure and electronic properties of the resulting polymer with cumulene‐like pentagon–pentagon and heptagon–heptagon connections have been investigated by means of scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy methods and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, complemented by density functional theory calculations. Our results provide perspectives for the on‐surface synthesis of cumulene‐containing compounds, as well as protocols relevant to the stepwise fabrication of carbon–carbon bonds on surfaces.     

Synthesis of New Lipid‐Inspired Ionic Liquids by Thiol‐ene Chemistry: Profound Solvent Effect on Reaction Pathway

The synthesis of a series of new lipid‐inspired ionic liquids through thiol‐ene “click” reaction with a single‐step process. This synthesis offers considerable promise as an efficient and orthogonal method to construct structurally diverse imidazolium‐type ionic liquids with linear and branched cationic tails, as well as versatility in the placement of the sulfur heteroatom. Profound solvent effect in this ene reaction regioselectivity has been observed.     

Concise,Single‐Step Synthesis of Sulfur‐Enriched Graphene: Immobilization of Molecular Clusters and Battery Applications

The concise synthesis of sulfur‐enriched graphene for battery applications is reported. The direct treatment of graphene oxide (GO) with the commercially available Lawesson's reagent produced sulfur‐enriched‐reduced GO (S‐rGO). Various techniques, such as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), confirmed the occurrence of both sulfur functionalization and GO reduction. Also fabricated was a nanohybrid material by using S‐rGO with polyoxometalate (POM) as a cathode‐active material for a rechargeable battery. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that POM clusters were individually immobilized on the S‐rGO surface. This battery, based on a POM/S‐rGO complex, exhibited greater cycling stability for the charge‐discharge process than a battery with nanohybrid materials positioned between the POM and nonenriched rGO. These results demonstrate that the use of sulfur‐containing groups on a graphene surface can be extended to applications such as the catalysis of electrochemical reactions and electrodes in other battery systems.     

Direct Patterning of Copper on Polyimide by Site‐Selective Surface Modification via a Screen‐Printing Process

We demonstrate a simple route to fabricating copper circuit patterns on the surface of polyimide film. The copper pattern can be obtained in three steps: 1) Formation of partially potassium hydroxide modified pattern via a screen‐printing process, 2) formation of macromolecular metal complex with copper, and 3) copper metallization by DMAB reduction. The morphologies of these copper patterns are determined by cross‐sectional transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, the growing process of the metallic copper film is investigated. The direct patterning of copper patterns onto polyimide substrates is promising for use in electronics industry as a large‐area and low‐cost processing technique.     

On‐Surface Domino Reactions: Glaser Coupling and Dehydrogenative Coupling of a Biscarboxylic Acid To Form Polymeric Bisacylperoxides

Herein we report the on‐surface oxidative homocoupling of 6,6′‐(1,4‐buta‐1,3‐diynyl)bis(2‐naphthoic acid) (BDNA) via bisacylperoxide formation on different Au substrates. By using this unprecedented dehydrogenative polymerization of a biscarboxylic acid, linear poly‐BDNA with a chain length of over 100 nm was prepared. It is shown that the monomer BDNA can be prepared in situ at the surface via on‐surface Glaser coupling of 6‐ethynyl‐2‐naphthoic acid (ENA). Under the Glaser coupling conditions, BDNA directly undergoes polymerization to give the polymeric peroxide (poly‐BDNA) representing a first example of an on‐surface domino reaction. It is shown that the reaction outcome varies as a function of surface topography (Au(111) or Au(100)) and also of the surface coverage, to give branched polymers, linear polymers, or 2D metal–organic networks.     

Multistimuli‐Responsive Supramolecular Assembly of Cucurbituril/Cyclodextrin Pairs with an Azobenzene‐Containing Bispyridinium Guest

A linear supramolecular architecture was successfully constructed by the inclusion complexation of α‐cyclodextrin with azobenzene and the host‐stabilized charge‐transfer interaction of naphthalene and a bispyridinium guest with cucurbit[8]uril in water, which was comprehensively characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic laser scattering, and microscopic observations. Significantly, because it benefits from the photoinduced isomerization of the azophenyl group and the chemical reduction of bispyridinium moiety with noncovalent connections, the assembly/disassembly process of this supramolecular nanostructure can be efficiently modulated by external stimuli, including temperature, UV and visible‐light irradiation, and chemical redox.     

Vacuum‐UV Irradiation‐Based Formation of Methyl‐Si‐O‐Si Networks from Poly(1,1‐Dimethylsilazane‐co‐1‐methylsilazane)

The vacuum‐UV (VUV)‐induced conversion of commercially available poly(1,1‐dimethylsilazane‐co‐1‐methylsilazane) into methyl‐Si‐O‐Si networks was studied using UV sources at wavelengths around 172, 185, and 222 nm, respectively. Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF‐SIMS), X‐ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements, as well as kinetic investigations, were carried out to elucidate the degradation process. First‐order kinetics were found for the photolytically induced decomposition of the Si? NH‐Si network, the subsequent formation of the methyl‐Si‐O‐Si network and the concomitant degradation of the Si? CH₃ bond, which were additionally independent of the photon energy above a threshold of about 5.5 eV (225 nm). The kinetics of these processes were, however, dependent on the dose actually absorbed by the layer and, in the case of Si‐O‐Si formation, additionally on the oxygen concentration. The release of ammonia and methane accompanied the conversion process. Quantum‐chemical calculations on methyl substituted cyclotetrasilazanes as model compounds substantiate the suggested reaction scheme. Layers <100 nm in thickness based on mixtures of poly(1,1‐dimethylsilazane‐co‐1‐methylsilazane) and perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) were coated onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foils by a continuous roll to roll process and cured by VUV irradiation by using wavelengths <200 nm and investigated for their O₂ and water vapor‐barrier properties. It was found that the resulting layers displayed oxygen and water vapor transmission rates (OTR and WVTR, respectively) of <1 cm³ m^?2 d^?1 bar^?1 and <4 g m^?2 d^?1, respectively.     

Reversible Control over Molecular Recognition in Surface‐Bound Photoswitchable Hydrogen‐Bonding Receptors: Towards Read–Write–Erase Molecular Printboards

The synthesis of an anthracene‐bearing photoactive barbituric acid receptor and its subsequent grafting onto azide‐terminated alkanethiol/Au self‐assembled monolayers by using an Cu^I‐catalyzed azide–alkyne reaction is reported. Monolayer characterization using contact‐angle measurements, electrochemistry, and spectroscopic ellipsometry indicate that the monolayer conversion is fast and complete. Irradiation of the receptor leads to photodimerization of the anthracenes, which induces the open‐to‐closed gating of the receptor by blocking access to the binding site. The process is thermally reversible, and polarization‐modulated IR reflection–absorption spectroscopy indicates that photochemical closure and thermal opening of the surface‐bound receptors occur in 70 and 100 % conversion, respectively. Affinity of the open and closed surface‐bound receptor was characterized by using force spectroscopy with a barbituric‐acid‐modified atomic force microscope tip.     

Thiol‐yne Click Adamantane Monolithic Stationary Phase for Capillary Electrochromatography

A porous crosslinked organic polymer based on N‐acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) was prepared inside 75 µm i.d. fused silica capillary as functionalizable monolithic stationary phase for electrochromatographic applications. Succinimide groups on the monolith surface provide reactive sites able to react readily through standard electrophile‐nucleophile chemistry. Propargylamine was used to prepare alkyne functionalized poly(NAS‐co‐EDMA). Onto this thiol‐reactive polymer surface was grafted adamantane units via a photochemically‐driven addition reaction. Chemical characterization was performed in situ after each synthetic step by means of Raman spectroscopy and grafting kinetics was investigated to ensure quantitative grafting of 1‐adamantanethiol. The as‐designed monolithic stationary phase exhibited typical reversed‐phase separation mechanism as evidenced by the linear increase of the logarithm of retention factor of neutral aromatic solutes with the increase of the aqueous buffer content in the mobile phase.     

Real‐time quantum chemistry

Significant progress in the development of efficient and fast algorithms for quantum chemical calculations has been made in the past two decades. The main focus has always been the desire to be able to treat ever larger molecules or molecular assemblies—especially linear and sublinear scaling techniques are devoted to the accomplishment of this goal. However, as many chemical reactions are rather local, they usually involve only a limited number of atoms so that models of about 200 (or even less) atoms embedded in a suitable environment are sufficient to study their mechanisms. Thus, the system size does not need to be enlarged, but remains constant for reactions of this type that can be described by less than 200 atoms. The question then arises how fast one can obtain the quantum chemical results. This question is not directly answered by linear‐scaling techniques. In fact, ideas such as haptic quantum chemistry (HQC) or interactive quantum chemistry require an immediate provision of quantum chemical information which demands the calculation of data in “real time.” In this perspective, we aim at a definition of real‐time quantum chemistry, explore its realm and eventually discuss applications in the field of HQC. For the latter, we elaborate whether a direct approach is possible by virtue of real‐time quantum chemistry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Surface‐Passivated SBA‐15‐Supported Gold Nanoparticles: Highly Improved Catalytic Activity and Selectivity toward Hydrophobic Substrates

Silanol groups on a silica surface affect the activity of immobilized catalysts because they can influence the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, matter transfer, or even transition state in a catalytic reaction. Previously, these silanol groups have usually been passivated by using surface‐passivation reagents, such as alkoxysilanes, bis‐silylamine reagents, chlorosilanes, etc., and surface passivation has typically been found in mesoporous‐silicas‐supported molecular catalysts and heteroatomic catalysts. However, this property has rarely been reported in mesoporous‐silicas‐supported metal‐nanoparticle catalysts. Herein, we prepared an almost‐superhydrophobic SBA‐15‐supported gold‐nanoparticle catalyst by using surface passivation, in which the catalytic activity increased more than 14 times for the reduction of nitrobenzene compared with non‐passivated SBA‐15. In addition, this catalyst can selectively catalyze hydrophobic molecules under our experimental conditions, owing to its high (almost superhydrophobic) hydrophobic properties.     

Amine‐Directed Hydrogen‐Bonded Two‐Dimensional Supramolecular Structures

Utilizing pure amine hydrogen bonding is a novel approach for constructing two‐dimensional (2D) networks. Further, such systems are capable of undergoing structural modifications due to changes in pH. In this study, we designed a 2D network of triaminobenzene (TAB) molecules that by varying the pH from neutral to acidic, form either ordered or disordered structures on Au(111) surface as revealed in scanning tunneling microscopy images. In near‐neutral solution (pH ≈5.5), protonation of TAB generates charged species capable of forming H‐bonds between amine groups of neighboring molecules resulting in the formation of a 2D supramolecular structure on the electrified surface. At lower pH, due to the protonation of the amine groups, intermolecular hydrogen bonding is no longer possible and no ordered structure is observed on the surface. This opens the possibility to employ pH as a chemical trigger to induce a phase transition in the 2D molecular network of triaminobenzene molecules.     

Chemically Orthogonal Three‐Patch Microparticles

Compared to two‐dimensional substrates, only a few methodologies exist for the spatially controlled decoration of three‐dimensional objects, such as microparticles. Combining electrohydrodynamic co‐jetting with synthetic polymer chemistry, we were able to create two‐ and three‐patch microparticles displaying chemically orthogonal anchor groups on three distinct surface patches of the same particle. This approach takes advantage of a combination of novel chemically orthogonal polylactide‐based polymers and their processing by electrohydrodynamic co‐jetting to yield unprecedented multifunctional microparticles. Several micropatterned particles were fabricated displaying orthogonal click functionalities. Specifically, we demonstrate novel two‐ and three‐patch particles. Multi‐patch particles are highly sought after for their potential to present multiple distinct ligands in a directional manner. This work clearly establishes a viable route towards orthogonal reaction strategies on multivalent micropatterned particles.     

Efficient Solid‐Phase Synthesis of pppRNA by Using Product‐Specific Labeling

A novel solid‐phase synthesis and purification strategy for 5′‐triphosphate oligonucleotides by using lipophilic tagging of the triphosphate moiety is reported. This is based on triphosphate synthesis with 5′‐O‐cyclotriphosphate intermediates, whereby a lipophilic tag, such as decylamine, is introduced during the ring‐opening reaction to give a linear gamma‐phosphate‐tagged species. This method enables the highly efficient synthesis of 5′‐triphosphorylated RNA derivatives and their gamma‐phosphate‐substituted analogues and will especially facilitate the advancement of therapeutic approaches that make use of 5′‐triphosphate oligonucleotides as potent activators of the cytosolic immune sensor RIG‐I.     

Backfilling‐Free Strategy for Biopatterning on Intrinsically Dual‐Functionalized Poly[2‐Aminoethyl Methacrylate‐co‐Oligo(Ethylene Glycol) Methacrylate] Films

We demonstrated protein and cellular patterning with a soft lithography technique using poly[2‐aminoethyl methacrylate‐co‐oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] films on gold surfaces without employing a backfilling process. The backfilling process plays an important role in successfully generating biopatterns; however, it has potential disadvantages in several interesting research and technical applications. To overcome the issue, a copolymer system having highly reactive functional groups and bioinert properties was introduced through a surface‐initiated controlled radical polymerization with 2‐aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride (AMA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA). The prepared poly(AMA‐co‐OEGMA) film was fully characterized, and among the films having different thicknesses, the 35 nm‐thick biotinylated, poly(AMA‐co‐OEGMA) film exhibited an optimum performance, such as the lowest nonspecific adsorption and the highest specific binding capability toward proteins.